Mergers & Acquisition – Private Equity

Our Service for the Mergers & Acquisitions – Private Equity Sector in Canada

In today’s competitive investment landscape, successful M&A and Private Equity (PE) transactions depend not just on financial engineering—but on unlocking operational value. AM Saxum partners with M&A advisors, investors, and portfolio companies to drive performance improvements that translate into higher EBITDA, stronger cash flows, and ultimately, increased company valuations.

We support both buy-side and sell-side M&A scenarios. On the buy-side, investors often engage us as part of their due diligence or post-acquisition strategy, recommending Lean transformations to improve KPIs, streamline operations, boost leadership capabilities, and strengthen employee and customer retention. On the sell-side, we help business owners prepare for exit by optimizing processes and improving financial performance—making their companies more attractive to acquirers or public markets.

For PE firms, AM Saxum’s Lean Six Sigma programs and Operational Excellence initiatives are powerful levers for accelerating value creation in portfolio companies. Our proven methods typically deliver savings exceeding 20% of payroll and are reinforced with expert coaching and Lean Leadership development. We also help clients secure Government Funding to support training and transformation initiatives, with a 96% approval rate.

With over $500 million in savings delivered, AM Saxum is the ideal partner for PE and M&A professionals looking to enhance operational efficiency and investment returns.

Explore how AM Saxum can help you maximize value—before, during, and after the deal.

Lean Six Sigma Services for the Mergers & Acquisitions – Private Equity Sector

In the high-stakes world of Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity, value creation is paramount. Whether advising investors or preparing businesses for exit or IPO, M&A firms play a critical role in identifying opportunities to improve operational performance. AM Saxum supports these efforts by delivering Lean Six Sigma–driven transformation programs that strengthen KPIs, leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately—enterprise value.

In investor-led M&A, Lean transformation becomes a strategic tool to boost operational efficiency and de-risk acquisitions. On the sell side, Lean initiatives help companies improve EBITDA, optimize cash flow, and command a premium valuation. For Private Equity firms, our services accelerate value creation in portfolio companies through cost reduction, process improvement, and leadership development.

Our consulting services include Lean Six Sigma certification and training, Lean organizational transformation, Operational Excellence programs, and Lean Leadership development—all tailored to the unique needs of M&A and PE-backed companies. Backed by over 20 years of experience, our consultants deliver measurable results, with typical savings exceeding 20% of payroll and over $500 million in cost savings secured for clients. We also assist in securing government grants to offset transformation costs.

If you're looking to enhance operational efficiency, unlock hidden value, and improve investment returns, explore how AM Saxum can support your next transaction.

Government Grants for the Mergers & Acquisitions – Private Equity Sector

In Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity, maximizing value is critical at every stage of the deal lifecycle. Whether preparing a company for sale, optimizing a portfolio business, or enhancing operational performance during due diligence, government grants can significantly offset the cost of transformation initiatives. AM Saxum helps M&A advisors and PE firms unlock these incentives—without disrupting core operations.

With over 20 years of experience, AM Saxum has secured more than $100 million in non-repayable government funding for Canadian businesses, maintaining a 96% approval rate. We specialize in identifying and securing grants that support Lean transformations, workforce development, leadership training, and operational excellence—initiatives that directly improve EBITDA, cash flow, and long-term valuation.

For M&A advisors, our grant services can help buyers fund post-acquisition improvements or help sellers prepare for a more profitable exit. For PE firms, our support enhances value creation plans by reducing the net cost of performance improvement projects across their portfolio.

If you're looking to improve performance and maximize returns with minimal financial outlay, explore how AM Saxum can help you or your clients access government funding to fuel strategic transformation.

What Our Clients Say

“Working with AM Saxum was a turning point for our operations. Their team conducted a comprehensive flow analysis of our plant and helped us redesign our layout using Lean Six Sigma principles. We also received on-site Yellow Belt training, which empowered our team to take an active role in the improvement process. As a metal stamping manufacturer, we greatly benefited from their deep industry insight—resulting in a 55% reduction in internal transportation within our facility and a major gain in efficiency. Their structured methodology and practical recommendations directly boosted our productivity and positioned us to better serve our clients. I highly recommend AM Saxum to any manufacturer looking to reduce waste and elevate operational performance.”

“Working with Henry was an incredibly valuable experience for our tequila production team. What began as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training quickly evolved into a full Lean transformation initiative. With Henry’s coaching, we were able to reduce the agave cooking cycle time and streamline the entire production process, from loading to downloading the ovens. His support helped us identify opportunities to eliminate non-value-added activities, improve process consistency, and increase daily output significantly. Henry’s hands-on approach, practical tools, and deep understanding of operational challenges made a real difference. Beyond the technical results, he helped us build confidence in our team’s ability to drive continuous improvement. His guidance was instrumental in achieving a more stable, efficient, and responsive process.”

“Henry played a key role in helping us improve the efficiency of our extraction process in our tequila operations. With his guidance, we were able to significantly reduce the amount of residual sugar left in the agave fiber during milling, which led to measurable gains in tequila yield per batch. His coaching was hands-on, methodical, and tailored to our operational environment. He helped us analyze process variation, identify root causes, and implement improvements that didn’t require immediate capital investment—just better use of data and tools. Thanks to Henry’s support, we moved from project definition through implementation and control with confidence, and the results were not only recognized internally but also approved by our finance team. His approach made Lean Six Sigma practical and effective for our team on the ground.”

"Henry’s support was key in helping us tackle a persistent quality issue in our aging and packaging process at Diageo, a global leader in premium alcoholic beverages. We were facing product rejections due to slight deviations in alcohol content. Through a structured Lean Six Sigma approach, Henry helped us map the entire process, identify sources of alcohol loss, and implement corrective actions. One of the most significant breakthroughs was automating our pumping system, which reduced manual errors and stabilized our process. His coaching was thorough, data-driven, and perfectly aligned with our operational realities. Beyond solving a technical issue, Henry fostered a proactive, analytical culture that has delivered measurable improvements across our operations. His involvement has been a major factor in our success."

“As the CFO of Peter and Paul’s Hospitality Group, I've seen the significant impact AM Saxum has had on our operations. Their Lean transformation initiatives have helped us identify inefficiencies and streamline processes across our organization, including catering, events, retail, and sales. What sets AM Saxum apart is its ability to tailor Lean methodologies to our diverse business models. They’ve optimized inventory at Peter and Paul’s Gifts, digitized operations at Paramount, and established hotel operations at Eaton Hall Country Inn and Spa, all while aligning results with our strategic goals. Their data-driven approach fosters a cultural shift towards continuous improvement, enhancing our operational control as we grow in a competitive market. AM Saxum has become a trusted partner in our evolution, and I’m excited about our future collaboration.”

“Implementing an Operational Excellence program with AM Saxum was a pivotal step for Universal Event Space in the hospitality and entertainment industry. Their deep understanding of Lean Six Sigma—and how to apply it effectively within our sector—helped us adopt practical tools, most notably 5S, to streamline our workplace organization. By reducing the time staff spent searching for setup materials and expanding our kitchen storage space, we realized substantial labor savings and gained enhanced purchasing power to buy in bulk at lower prices. AM Saxum’s hands-on approach and proven experience in business transformation delivered significant cost savings and drove us toward greater operational efficiency. Their support has been a game changer for our event services, setting us on a path of continuous improvement and value creation.”

“Working with AM Saxum has been a transformative experience for Eaton Hall. Their support on our Lean transformation projects—particularly within the kitchen and sales teams—brought clarity to inefficiencies we hadn’t fully seen before. Their hands-on, data-driven approach empowered our team to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and improve overall coordination across departments. What makes AM Saxum truly stand out is how practical and adaptable their tools are. The systems and methodologies we’ve implemented so far have not only elevated our current operations—they will be absolutely critical as we expand and enhance our hotel services. These improvements are laying a strong operational foundation for the future of Eaton Hall as a premier boutique hospitality destination. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with a team that brings both expertise and genuine commitment to our success.”

“Partnering with AM Saxum was a turning point for our operations. Their Lean transformation approach helped us uncover and fix long-standing inefficiencies in our kitchen, catering, and staffing processes. Through a combination of staff training, system redesign, and practical Lean tools, we were able to eliminate manual processes, reduce labor waste, and improve communication across departments. One of the most impactful changes was the integration of visual tools and automation into our CRM system—this drastically reduced errors in the kitchen, streamlined the quoting process in catering, and brought consistency to our event staffing. The overall impact has been substantial, resulting in faster turnaround times, improved team coordination, and a more scalable, guest-focused operation. AM Saxum didn’t just deliver recommendations—they worked closely with our team to implement lasting improvements. I would highly recommend them to any service-oriented business looking to optimize their operations and enhance team performance.”

“AM Saxum delivered a Lean transformation that went far beyond our expectations. Through a combination of Green Belt training and hands-on coaching, they helped us identify and address inefficiencies across production, roto molding, processing (recycling), shipping, and even our front-office workflows. Their team introduced powerful tools like 5S, SMED, and visual workplace systems, which immediately improved our changeover times, reduced scrap and rework, and helped streamline communication across departments. Just as importantly, their approach engaged our employees in the improvement process—giving them the skills and confidence to lead change from within. What impressed me most was the practicality of AM Saxum’s solutions. They didn’t just give us ideas—they gave us implementable systems that are already showing results. I would strongly recommend AM Saxum to any manufacturer looking to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and build a stronger, more agile organization.”

“AM Saxum’s Green Belt training and project coaching made a significant impact on our operations at ADS. As part of the program, I led a project focused on reducing defects in our pipe extrusion process. With AM Saxum’s support, we applied Lean Six Sigma tools to get to the root cause—which was traced back to inadequate cooling from our chiller system. Their structured guidance throughout the root cause analysis helped us identify the issue and implement meaningful corrective actions. The result was a measurable improvement in product quality and a stronger internal capability to solve complex operational problems. I highly recommend AM Saxum to any organization seeking to drive performance improvement through practical Lean Six Sigma applications.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to review AM Saxum’s Green Belt training program, and I was genuinely impressed by its clarity, structure, and real-world applicability. The content strikes an excellent balance between Lean Six Sigma theory and practical tools that teams can use immediately on the shop floor or in office environments. What sets AM Saxum’s training apart is how accessible and actionable it is. The program doesn’t just teach concepts—it equips professionals to lead meaningful improvement projects and deliver measurable results. For any organization looking to build internal capability in process improvement, this training is a strong investment.”

“I found the Lean Six Sigma course, offered by Henry, to be a very informative program that allowed me to gain a clear understanding of the broad range of continuous improvement concepts. The course provided many useful tools to assist in our current roles and practical examples in which they could be applied.”

“I attended Henry’s Lean Six Sigma training which was very structured and well laid out. I liked the examples supporting the methodology that allowed for better understanding. The individual project was an excellent way of putting what I learned into practice. Even better, I was able to relate my learning to an actual situation at work. Henry acted in the capacity of mentor, teacher, as well as very professional in his approach.”

“Henry is a skilled facilitator who provided us with incredibly detailed and valuable Lean Six Sigma training. By sharing his years of multi-industry experience and practical examples and exercises, he helped sharpen my ‘continuous improvement’ skills and really boosted my confidence to pursue my Black Belt.”

“You’re in good hands! Henry’s instructional materials are thorough and designed to meet the needs of his clients. His courses are interactive and collaborative which keep students engaged while still developing strong competencies in areas such as Lean Six Sigma.”

“Mike’s courses, his vast training experience and knowledge have been extremely effective. Our company continues to grow and our employees are more motivated and engaged in their responsibilities. We endorse Mike and his team.”

“Thank you Mike for training our employees to achieve certification to the ISO:9001:2015 standard. Because of your team’s enthusiasm and dynamic training sessions, we exceeded our goals.”

FAQ

Does AM Saxum provide on-site Lean Six Sigma training and certification?

Yes — for businesses, not for individuals. We offer tailored on-site Lean Six Sigma training and certification programs exclusively for companies. Our training is designed to address real operational challenges within your organization and is delivered by experienced consultants with hands-on industry expertise. At this time, we do not offer individual or public courses for private learners.

What types of businesses can benefit from the government grants AM Saxum supports?

Any Canadian for-profit business, across all industries. Whether you’re in manufacturing, tech, healthcare, professional services, or hospitality, your business may be eligible for government grants such as SR&ED or other funding programs. Our expertise covers a wide range of industries, and we handle the full application process. While there are grants available for non-profit organizations, AM Saxum works exclusively with for-profit companies to ensure the highest return on investment and strategic impact.

How long does it take to receive SR&ED funding?

The timeline can vary, but most businesses receive SR&ED refunds within 3 to 6 months of filing their claim. If your company is filing for the first time, or if the CRA requests additional documentation, processing may take slightly longer. AM Saxum streamlines this process by preparing strong, audit-ready claims that reduce the likelihood of delays.

Do you only work with large companies?

Not at all. We work with businesses of all sizes—from small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations. Whether you’re a growing business looking to scale more efficiently or a mature organization aiming to improve profitability, our Lean and funding strategies are customized to fit your size, structure, and goals.

How do I know if my business is eligible for SR&ED or other grants?

Eligibility depends on several factors, including your business structure, the nature of your activities, and your location. If you’re conducting R&D, developing new products, or revising existing ones, or implementing new processes, you may qualify. AM Saxum offers a free initial assessment to determine your eligibility and identify the best funding options.

What areas in Canada does AM Saxum serve?

AM Saxum provides Lean Six Sigma consulting and government funding services to businesses across all provinces and territories in Canada. We have consultants based in key regions, allowing us to deliver personalized, on-site support while keeping travel costs low.

Our targeted regions include: 

Province	City
Ontario	Toronto
	Ottawa
	Mississauga
	Hamilton (Burlington)
	Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge
	London
	Windsor
	Guelph
	Brampton
	Markham & Richmond Hill
	Sudbury

Province	City
British Columbia	Vancouver
	Surrey & Burnaby
	Victoria
	Richmond
	Kelowna
	Prince George (Cariboo Region)
	Richmond
	Abbotsford
	Kamloops
	Nanaimo

Province	City
Quebec	Montreal
	Quebec City
	Laval
	Longueuil
	Sherbrooke
	Drummondville
	Trois-Rivieres
	Gatineau
	Granby
	Saguenay

Province	City
Alberta	Calgary
	Edmonton
	Red Deer
	Fort McMurray
	Lethbridge
	Grande Prairie
	Medicine Hat
	Airdrie & Cochrane

Province	City
Manitoba	Winnipeg
	Brandon
	Portage la Prairie
	Steinbach
	Thompson
	Morden and Winkler
	Selkirk
	Dauphin

 Even if your city or province isn’t listed here, rest assured—we support clients nationwide, including in smaller cities and rural areas. Wherever your business is located in Canada, AM Saxum is ready to help you achieve operational excellence and unlock funding opportunities.