Mariner announced that it has purchased Woodbridge International, a middle-market mergers and acquisitions consulting firm based in New Haven, Conn., bolstering its capabilities to offer enhanced M&A advisory services to its 1,200 business owner clients.
The acquisition was finalized on August 30 and the integration of Woodbridge’s team and operations into Mariner’s existing structure is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to a news release. Woodbridge will maintain its current offices and continue to operate under its brand for a period, the release said.
“The integration of Woodbridge International into the Mariner family marks a transformative step in our mission to deliver comprehensive, client-focused financial services,” Marty Bicknell, CEO and president of Mariner, said in a statement. “Woodbridge’s impressive history of successful transactions and its commitment to client-centric solutions align seamlessly with our core values."
Woodbridge, the release said, “is known for its innovative approach to sell-side M&A transactions and its extensive experience across a wide range of industries."
In addition to Connecticut, the firm has an office in Cape Town, South Africa, the release said, adding that it has a global database of 8,400 private equity groups and 410,000 strategic companies. “Woodbridge casts one of the widest nets in the industry, quickly identifying the greatest number of buyers,” the release added.
“For our team, joining forces with Mariner opens up incredible avenues for growth,” said Robert Koenig, CEO of Woodbridge International. “We now have a clear path to potentially double our business within the next few years. By expanding our offerings, we can cultivate idle leads and provide more value to clients than ever before. This is an exciting time for Woodbridge, especially as we aim to capture the anticipated wave of baby boomer business exits.”
The Overland Park, Kansas-based Mariner was founded in 2006 with $300 million in assets under advisement. The firm and its affiliates now advise on more than $245 billion in assets as of June 30.