Dual-track processes involve a preparation for a listing being carried on in parallel with another potential M&A transaction. Where key investors are looking for an exit, a listing is often run alongside a sale process which can help to increase competitive tension among bidders in the sale process, increase market interest generally and maximise value for shareholders. The transactions may be run in parallel right up until the listing is announced, or even until pricing of the offer, or alternatively the decision between listing and sale may be made earlier in the transaction timetable.
In order to run the two parallel processes efficiently, it will require the appointment of advisers with experience of this specific process in order to co-ordinate the strict timetabling and disclosure demands of a listing with the relative fluidity of an M&A process. It will be important to identify the key workstreams early so that there is no duplication of work.