Situation
The shareholders of Guttman Energy, Inc. chose to divest its Columbus, Ohio based propane and lubricants centric division to focus capital on the continued growth of its core business: the procurement and logistics management of refined fuels, natural gas and electricity.

Objective
To customize, execute, and complete a confidential sale process that would allow Guttman to realize maximum value for the propane and lubricants division, while still retaining overall brand identity for the wholesale fuels and transportation businesses.

Solution
Matrix provided valuation guidance to Guttman’s shareholders and then structured and executed a highly confidential sale process by contacting select private and public energy companies who had the financial capacity to complete the transaction.

Several competing offers were received, and Energy Distribution Partners (EDP) was selected as the purchaser.

Matrix assisted in the negotiation of the purchase agreement and transition services agreement, and coordinated due diligence. All Columbus based Guttman employees were retained by EDP.

The transaction closed in Q2 2014, and as part of the deal, EDP entered into gasoline and diesel fuel supply agreements, as well as a hauling agreement for transport load quantities, with Guttman. This will provide additional future income to Guttman.