Diligence · Logistics & Distribution

ERISA & Benefits Diligence Counsel for Logistics & Distribution Acquisitions

Securities and M&A counsel for independent sponsors diligencing logistics and distribution transactions, from LOI to close to the capital markets that open up afterward.

EV range $12M to $140M EV EBITDA $3M to $22M Audience Buy-side / Sponsor
The deal context

Every logistics and distribution acquisition has its own gravity. ERISA & Benefits Diligence is the workstream where independent sponsor counsel earns the seat.

The typical logistics and distribution platform sits at $12M to $140M EV with EBITDA in the $3M to $22M range. The thesis runs on regional acquisitions of brokerages, 3PLs, and last-mile operators. Fuel-volatile years make for clean entry multiples. Read the math, not the narrative.

The moves

How ERISA & Benefits Diligence actually gets structured.

  1. Pull the 5500s and audit reports for the last three years.

  2. Identify any controlled-group exposure that follows the seller post-close.

  3. Address multi-employer pension withdrawal liability where applicable.

  4. Plan the benefits transition to the buyer's plans, with a TSA period if needed.

  5. In logistics and distribution, layer in earnout indexed to gross margin, not revenue as part of the ERISA & Benefits Diligence workstream.

The common mistake

Skipping the multi-employer pension review. It can show up as a 7-figure surprise three months post-close.

Jason's take
"ERISA is the silent deal-killer. Treat it like senior debt diligence."
Jason Powell · ERISA & Benefits Diligence
Capital after close

The deal is one thing. The capital that opens up after close is another.

Most independent sponsors solve the closing capital and then run into the post-close capital problem alone. The capital markets relationships that matter at month 18 are part of this practice.

MONTH 18
Senior refi
MONTH 24
Dividend recap
MONTH 36
Growth equity
YEAR 4–5
Strategic exit
ENGAGE THE PRACTICE

ERISA & Benefits Diligence for Logistics & Distribution, on independent sponsor terms.

Independent sponsor counsel that already speaks fluent deal-by-deal economics, structures clean LPAs, and travels with capital markets relationships for what comes after close.