Company Overview
International Business Associates, commonly known as IBA, was established in 1975 by a group of experienced business brokerage professionals who believed that they could provide better customer service, market knowledge, transactional experience, and professional representation while maintaining confidentiality than was currently available to the Pacific Northwest business community. On this foundation of experience and principles, IBA has grown into the regional leader in business sale transactions involving manufacturing plants, wholesale & distribution companies, retail businesses, service firms, vocational schools, restaurants, and professional practices successfully completing over 4200 transactions. Our primary historical venues for business have been the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho; however our reputation & representation has not been contained by those geographic boundaries with IBA professionals being hired on a consulting basis to negotiate and represent businesses as far east as Massachusetts and North Carolina and south as California and Arizona. IBA also has physical offices in Portland, Oregon located at 1050 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97204 and Spokane, Washington located at 601 West 1st Avenue, Suite 1400, Spokane, WA 99201. The direct phone number to the Portland office is (503) 739 - 4880 and the Spokane office is (509) 907-9406.
Services Offered
IBA is a full service business brokerage company that offers its clients complete and comprehensive representation in the sale of privately held companies and family owned businesses. Our service package starts with an introductory consultation and complimentary “fair market” value evaluation of the business. The introductory consultation provides the business owner with an overview of the sale process. The “fair market” value evaluation provides the business owner with the range of prices that different types of buyers would likely pay for the company. Upon completion of this preliminary process, the business owner and IBA will both make decisions regarding whether a business relationship should be established for the sale of the company. If no relationship is established the business owner is under no obligation to IBA. If a business relationship is established a representation agreement will be established between the parties and marketing activity by IBA commenced.
IBA offers its clients a marketing program for their businesses that is specifically developed for the type of company being represented and its unique confidentiality issues. This program includes the following: development of a professional presentation packet for the business, strategic marketing to individuals & companies in our internal buyer database and potential acquisition candidates, mainstream, online, and trade publication advertising (Seattle Times, Puget Sound Business Journal, Wall Street Journal, Etc.), network marketing in the legal, accounting, and banking communities, and when the situation merits advertisement in the commercial real estate multiple listing service. The results of this proactive marketing program are documented in the high number of potential buyers who review the companies we represent and the relative short time the companies we represent stay on the market versus similar entities represented by our competition.
We believe that the environment created for negotiations between the buyer and seller is critical to the successful transfer of ownership of a business. That environment should provide for an atmosphere of confidentiality and full disclosure. IBA as the facilitator of negotiations will control that environment and make sure that what is important gets discussed prior to the start of negotiations. Our negotiations are conducted from positions of knowledge by both the buyer and seller. This fact is the reason that a very high percentage of IBA’s clients sell their businesses after reaching agreement the first time.
The disclosure process between a buyer & seller generally takes place in a series of meetings over a couple of weeks. Following that exchange of oral and written information, negotiations are commenced by IBA with the buyer or their agent on behalf of the seller. It is generally important at this stage that the buyer & seller do not interact directly. The reason for this separation is that negotiating the purchase or sale of a business can be an emotional activity and it is generally critical for the success of the buyer that the goodwill of the parties remain intact following the completion of negotiations when transition training commences. This is where IBA’s transactional experience and professional negotiation skills become invaluable to the transaction. A willing and able buyer and seller now exist. The goal is to get them to agree on the price and terms for the transaction. IBA is very familiar with this transaction territory and will with the seller’s goals clearly in mind proceed to negotiate the terms of the deal. It is our philosophy that if our client is not happy we have not achieved our goal and will keep on negotiating. We want 100% satisfaction and our proof to that achievement will be nothing short of a signed agreement.
IBA’s representation does not stop with tentative agreement. Our representation continues after that point until the transaction is completed. There are a lot of i’s to dot and t’s to cross in the purchase or sale of a business. IBA is aware of the administrative steps necessary to transfer ownership and will make sure that both sides of the transaction are aware of what needs to be done to end one owner’s tenure at he helm and start the next.
Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding the representation we provide our clients or if you would like to schedule a time to meet with an IBA professional in person.
Broker Profile
IBA is a referral driven company. A majority of our clients come to us via the recommendation of past clients, attorneys, accounting professionals, commercial or residential realtors, bankers, or individuals or companies who have conducted business in the past with International Business Associates.
I, personally, also found IBA by way of a referral from one of my most trusted advisors, my father, Michael Kovsky. Dr. Michael Kovsky was a client of IBA when he sold his veterinary practice, the Animal Medical Clinic in Portland, Oregon, in 1983. Following the transaction, he always spoke glowingly about the representation he had received in the sale of his hospital and the related real estate. This endorsement put IBA on the map in my mind and generated an easy recommendation when conversations with friends and business colleagues turned to the purchase or sale of privately held companies and family owned businesses.
In the spring of 1994, I returned to the Pacific Northwest from the Midwest ready for a career change. Many career opportunities were available to me; however at the recommendation of my father, I scheduled a meeting with then IBA president, G. William Ososke, to discuss potentially joining IBA as an associate. On the basis of IBA’s corporate culture, leadership position in the business brokerage community, and the economic upside potential with the firm, I elected to join the company as a sales associate following that meeting.
My first six years with the company passed rapidly as I rose in the company from the position of “rookie” sales associate to top ten salesman to managing broker for the Washington state territory. On the basis of this effort and the positive impact I had on the company, Bill Ososke approached me in 2000 to discuss his desire to downsize his managerial responsibilities and relinquish control of the helm of IBA. This preliminary conversation led to a succession plan where in December of 2000, I assumed administrative control of operations for the future of the company in this area. It was with great honor and responsibility that I assumed this responsibility and guardianship of the legacy of the company.
The foundation of IBA’s representation and past success has always been the quality, experienced, professionals on its staff and their ability to confidentially sell privately held companies and family owned businesses through the use of superior market knowledge, transactional experience, customer service, and professional negotiation skills. I promise that this core element of our company will not change in the future.
I welcome your telephone calls and emails (gregory@ibainc.com). Please contact me if I can provide you with any information regarding IBA or the representation we offer our clients.
Areas Served
Washington, Oregon, & Alaska