In 1989, a teenager started making red braai grid "knypers" (braai tongs) with his father in the garage. By 2025, Johan’s business, LK Products, had become a brand you see everywhere. Pick 'n Pay, Checkers , Builders , and every hardware store. Those red knypers? They’re LK Products. But when it came time to sell, Johan faced a problem most successful manufacturers eventually hit: the business was getting too big for him to add value. Three entities. Complex intercompany re

“Tailored, buyer-led positioning remains the cornerstone of every successful transaction we advise.”

Picture two objects floating in water: a massive iceberg and a beach ball. The iceberg sits stable—90% of its mass hidden below the surface, unmoved by wind or waves. The beach ball floats on top, all visible, all flash, blown around by every gust. This is the perfect metaphor for understanding two very different approaches to M&A advisory—and why that choice matters when you’re planning your business exit. Most business owners are naturally attracted to advisors with slick p

At Deal Leaders International (DLI), every transaction begins with understanding, not just the numbers, but the shareholder vision, the organisation culture and the future potential of the business. That was especially true in our recent role as exclusive sell-side advisor to Talisman Hire, a leading Southern African equipment rental group with more than 100 owner-operated franchised stores. Since its founding in 1993, Talisman has built a trusted brand known for reliabili

Why wealth preservation matters more than legacy—and who you should (and shouldn't) tell.

Every M&A transaction has its challenges. But some deals, like Cobra’s strategic investment from Alterra Capital Partners, demand an extra layer of technical precision and strategic guidance. Behind the headlines of a successful close lies months of careful planning where structuring, regulatory navigation and risk management all play a decisive role. Structuring for Success In Cobra’s case, the deal could not proceed until three separate operating entities were consol