Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1473479
62 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2022 Kastner: When we work with buyers, we will reach out to a pool of sellers to find the right fit for our client's criteria. We gather informa- tion, set up calls and meetings, help negotiate with the seller, and generally assist the buyer through to closing. Beaulieu: How do you find qualified buyers and how do you know they are qualified? Kastner: Our buy-side clients are usually private equity-backed and/or have experience with acquisitions. I might sound like Yogi Berra or something, but I try to work with buyers who have money, because it takes money to buy companies. Buyers can also use debt as well as earnouts and other types of deferred payments to make acquisitions. Beaulieu: What is the most important piece of advice you would give someone buying a com- pany? Kastner: Be patient and do not just fall in love with the first owner who wants to talk. Be ready to hit the eject button if the deal stops making sense. Beaulieu: Tom, thanks for talking to me today. Kastner: My pleasure. PCB007 Tom Kastner is the president of GP Ventures, an investment banking firm focused on sell-side and buy-side transactions in the tech and electronics industries, and an I-Connect007 columnist. To read past columns, click here. Dan Beaulieu is president of D.B. Management group and an I-Connect007 columnist. To read past columns, click here. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released the following statement from Presi- dent and CEO John Neuffer in support of the out- comes produced by the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12). Among the critical results achieved during the ministerial was a renewal of the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions, an agreement that has served as a foundation for global digital trade for the last quarter-century. "After a rocky start, MC12 pro- duced important outcomes for global trade in semiconductors and a range of other essential technol- ogies, services, and industrial prod- ucts. We greatly appreciate the strong leadership of Director-Gen- eral Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the tireless work of the U.S. negotiat- ing team and all Ministers to deliver positive results, including the agree- ment to extend the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions until the next Ministerial. For nearly 25 years, the Moratorium has supported the explosive growth of global trade for big and small companies across all sec- tors, including Internet-related services, entertain- ment, semiconductors, and consumer and industrial electronics. "Ultimately, the WTO needs to make the Moratorium permanent, so we can put behind us the highly unpredictable renewal process that exposes the global economy and America's industries and workers to damaging uncertainty. SIA stands ready to make this case forcefully while demonstrating to developed and developing countries alike the benefits of keeping digital goods and services free of import duties across all sectors." (Source: SIA) SIA Applauds Renewal of WTO Tariff Moratorium, Urges WTO to Make it Permanent John Neuffer