Clients & Industries Served

BDS has a successful track record serving companies ranging from start-ups and emerging growth companies to mid-market firms and larger corporations.   We tailor our services for each sector and we structure each engagement or project to meet our clients’ needs.    Click on each of our client case studies to learn more.

BDS principals have deep expertise in several practice areas and have a combined 60-plus years of experience in industries representing key sectors of the economy.   Examples of some  prominent industries and sectors are listed below:

Aerospace & Defense
Chemicals/Engineered Materials
Energy
Family Business
Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
Manufacturing
Private Equity and Principal Investors
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Social Sector (not-for-profit)
Telecommunications
Wireless Communications

Aerospace & Defense
The Aerospace and Defense sector is going through a period of profound change. Defense is suffering the impact of sequestration and budget cuts, while the commercial aircraft sectors are booming.    BDS principals have insight into these markets and can connect the dots to create successful growth strategies for companies in this industry.  Recent engagements have included companies in test equipment, metals processing, and precision machining and component manufacturing.

Chemicals/Engineered Materials
With over 8,500 companies in Ohio involved in Chemicals and Engineered Materials, this key sector is served by companies that make materials that end up in products that we use every day as consumers and as businesses in applications such as autos, buildings, infrastructure, and consumer products.   BDS principals have worked with companies in these sectors to identify growth strategies and new markets.   Recent engagements have included companies in composites, coatings, advanced energy and metals.

Energy
Representing over 9 percent of the US GDP, energy is big business.  It is both an important input cost for Ohio manufacturing companies, and is also a transportation cost that can be a key driver of global competitiveness.  In recent years, new developments in advanced energy have also created new business opportunities in fuel cell, solar, wind and bio-fuels markets, while the most recent advances in oil and gas recovery have set off a boom of development in oil and gas exploration and production.    BDS principals have worked within energy companies, and at the industry level they can bring insight to your firm, whether you are a user, transporter or producer.  Recent engagements have included product and market development projects in fuel cells and bio fuels, and projects to develop new lightweight materials to reduce costs of transportation.

Family Business
Nearly 90 percent of the approximately 26 million businesses in the U.S. are family owned. These enterprises are credited with generating not less than 64 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Beyond their influence on the nation’s products and services, family businesses are also significant employers. It has been suggested that they employ over 60 percent of the total workforce and that nearly 75 percent of all net new jobs are the result of family business hiring. Throughout our country, people pour their hearts and souls into building family companies. Unfortunately, few put that same passion into preparing for the next generation to take over. Or to work on important issues such as strategic planning and succession planning to prepare for growth and the next generation of leaders that will navigate the companies. Family dynamics, conflicts and governance issues can also pose serious threats to the long-term sustainability of some of these enterprises. Since its inception in 2003, BDS has worked with dozens of family-owned or closely-held enterprises. We help families develop a well-integrated comprehensive plan for growth, transition or eventual exit. As trusted advisors to owners, BDS helps companies develop going-forward plans that acknowledge issues of both the family and the business. With effective planning and support in implementing plans, BDS helps both the family and the business thrive through the inevitable changes that impact every business of this type.

In early 2014, BDS founder Christine Stadler obtained specialized training and became a Certified Family Business Transition Advisor™. Through this certification, she became a member of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute, an organization dedicated to serving family businesses all over the world. Through this affiliation, she is certified to offer clients the TransitionStrong™ model, a proven method for applying the right tools at the right time and assisting family businesses and closely-held enterprises with a framework for creating a strong future for the owner, the family and the business.

Technology Markets
High tech markets in biomedical, health care IT, communications  and Software-as-a Service have become critical components of the global economy. Technology enables better, lower-cost products and services and creates tremendous efficiencies in a variety of markets.  At the heart of many of these developments are innovations developed by small start-up companies that invent, seed, and commercialize new technologies.  Since 2003, as Northeast Ohio burst onto the exploding entrepreneurial scene, BDS has engaged with dozens of start-ups, serving as interim executives, in a variety of sales and marketing capacities, as well as assisting with capital connections and investor presentations. Recent engagements include a product launch for a healthcare IT solution and a market expansion and growth strategy for a provider of software platform tools. BDS principals have also held senior management positions within start-up and emerging growth technology companies – an experience that serves as a solid foundation for providing entrepreneurs and technology company leaders with practical advice and solutions for taking their companies to the next level.  In addition, our network of affiliates offers clients access to the skilled talent and range of resources necessary for growth and success in this sector.

Manufacturing
Small manufacturers are still the lifeblood of today’s economy. Late last fall, North American manufacturers were presented with plenty of optimistic news. In the United States, November 2013 production as measured by the Institute of Supply Chain Management rose from 56.4 to 57.3, the fastest expansion since 2011. New orders in the U.S. came in strong for four consecutive months and 2014 began with a healthy production backlog.  Increasingly, the intersection of innovation and rapid development approaches are bringing together companies with new national initiatives like the MIT Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMP) or the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) to create new business opportunities for manufacturers to adopt new world class technologies and to broaden their markets.   BDS works closely with these groups, as well as with numerous manufacturing advocacy and trade groups which promote the health and vitality of U.S. manufacturing. We stay on top of trends in manufacturing and assist our clients with the tools and resources to take advantage of economic and industrial trends. According to the U.S. industrial manufacturing leader at PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers),  areas of focus for 2014 among industrial manufacturers will include diversifying and improving the product portfolio mix to adapt to changing market conditions, acquisitions to further broaden capabilities and increase geographic reach, monetizing non-core assets, and customizing products and services according to customer needs. BDS has been engaged by numerous smaller manufacturers to develop new growth strategies and go-to-market approaches, as well as to develop and implement programs to defend and extend core products and service offerings.  Additionally, we assist with the identification of key talent and resources in the areas of operations, executive management and sales and marketing.

Private Equity and Principal Investors
Private equity, venture capital, and high net worth individual investors expect to see well-honed business cases for the innovations and companies they invest in.  Having a resource to review business plans during the due diligence phase or to work with the business team or portfolio company after the investment is made to achieve desired performance is crucial to these groups.   BDS principals and affiliates have valuable experience in helping private equity and principal investors in these roles as we have access to a broad and diverse network. With a talent base that is both agile and flexible, we are often the best choice to quickly help determine if a potential investee has the required attributes and characteristics for a successful investment.   Recent projects have included a healthcare IT project, a manufactured goods project, an aerospace testing project and a sales force automation system.

Social Sector
The social sector is the fourth largest sector in the Ohio economy.   BDS principals have partnered with and conducted projects with many of the leading foundations and economic development groups in the region.  BDS principals are also passionate about the community in which they live and donate time to help numerous organizations and non-profit groups achieve their objectives.   BDS principals have been involved in a number of organizations over the last several years including NAMI Greater Cleveland, Towards Employment, PDMA Northeast Ohio, ACG Cleveland, COSE, Bellflower Center for Children, and Greater Cleveland Volunteers.