The M&A Advisor announced strategic and financial advisory firm, O’Keefe, as the winner of the 2012 Restructuring Deal of the Year in the Consumer and Retail Product category for its role in the AM Todd sale to Wild Flavors Gmbh.

The M&A Advisor Summit and Awards Gala was held at the New York Athletic Club. There were over 600 transactions considered for recognition with approximately 650 attendees.

With many challenges along the way, the sale of AM Todd to Wild Flavors Gmbh ultimately resulted in 100% re-payments to the each lender of the company. After payment of all of the obligations, there was significant equity available to the 128 shareholders representing the going concern value of the company.

Approximately 300 employees retained their jobs, some even received elevated positions in the new company. The Wild Flavors Gmbh, which purchased the company’s assets, had a much better worldwide geographic footprint and related global distribution. This benefited the company’s future, essentially repositioning the business operations globally as highlighted as a key need in O’Keefe’s five-year strategic plan.

New equipment was purchased to modernize the operations and the company’s working capital was replenished. Finally, a 142-year-old company avoided extinction and survived the largest challenge it had ever faced.

The M&A Advisor has been presenting, recognizing the achievement of and facilitating connections between the world’s leading mergers and acquisitions and financing and turnaround professionals.