Home > Engagements > STF Services Corporation Case Study

INDUSTRY:
Business Services

WHAT:
TripleTree led the sale of STF Services to BNA, the foremost publisher of print and electronic news, analysis and reference products for professionals in business and government

THE ESSENTIALS:
Due to the competitive environment within the Company's current business, the sale process was conducted in a highly confidential manner in order to isolate STF's ongoing operations and protect key relationships.

STF Services Corporation (STF) develops, publishes and markets "smart" electronic form services in the areas of taxes, human resources, and legal / regulatory. Located in Syracuse, New York, the Company has developed a superior reputation in its core market by offering the deepest and most comprehensive library of over 8,000 current tax-related forms in an extremely user-friendly format. This has allowed the Company to capture a dominant market position in electronic tax form services sold to tax professionals, and subsequently, a highly profitable business highlighted by strong revenue visibility.

In an effort to take advantage of the tremendous growth presented by the Internet and the move to electronic forms in a number of new markets, STF engaged TripleTree to identify a strategic acquirer that combines greater financial, sales and marketing resources with STF's content and technology. Commensurate with STF's interest in expanding its position in new markets such as HR and legal, and regulatory, TripleTree targeted a select group of publishing and software companies whose business provided a strategic entry point and the resources necessary to penetrate such market opportunities. Due to the competitive environment within the Company's current business, the sale process was conducted in a highly confidential manner in order to isolate STF's ongoing operations and protect key relationships.

“TripleTree consistently performed beyond our highest expectations. The unique combination of perseverance and diplomacy that TripleTree brought to the process proved to be the key factor that produced a win-win outcome for all parties. We would engage TripleTree again without hesitation, and we recommend them without reservation.”
                                                        - Michael S. Andrew
                                                        Executive Vice President, STF Services Corp

As a result of a highly competitive process, STF services, Inc. was acquired by Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA), the foremost publisher of print and electronic news, analysis and reference products for professionals in business and government. Benefiting from an established, long-term relationship, the companies shared a strong cultural fit and common view on the model for integration. BNA was very interested in continuing to operate the Company as a stand-alone business with management and other employees retaining their key positions while providing STF access to strong distribution channels and relationships both in its core tax business as well as multiple new markets. The company was sold for $27.5 million in up front cash plus a future earn-out incentive.

Back to Engagements

Top