Financing the first acquisition. Lending to an industrials business

This question pertains to financing the acquisition of an industrials business in Canada or the US (if possible, specifically a distribution-type business or plastic manufacturer). Questions include:

1) What was the process like when seeking out leverage to acquire the business? 2) How early did you start discussing with potential lending parties? 3) Was the whole lending facility bank loans? 4) Did you seek private subordinated financing? 5) What were the traditional terms offered (maturity, rate, mandatory amortization, prepayment fee, liens)? 6) Were there typically covenants on bank loans / private loans? 7) Were banks ok with having junior debt beneath them? 

To start, I am curious how early one should start connecting with lenders as well as what current market terms are like.