Buy & Build Strategies
Generating deals
When a buy-and-build strategy makes senseExternal growth through the acquisition of entire companies or business units is on the agenda of many investors. The goals of profitable, sustainable growth must align with the investor’s vision – this requires a carefully developed strategy and extensive experience. Typical occasions:
- Expanding market position
- Realizing synergies
- Complementing the product and service portfolio
- Access to new customers and regions
- Developing a portfolio company along the equity story
Are you planning growth through acquisitions?
In a confidential discussion, we will clarify suitable industries and the appropriate approach.
Our Buy & Build expertsGet to know us
Over 450 transaction-related engagements have shaped our approach – conceptual in strategy, systematic in search, discreet in approach.
Dr. Rainer Mayer
In his more than 30 years as a consultant, he has seen countless companies and led many projects to success.
Bertram Stähler
He has been a consultant for over 20 years, having supported and led numerous analysis, strategy, and M&A projects.
Ümit Esrefoglu
His focus is on CDD and growth strategies for Private Equity investors and their portfolio companies.
Frequently asked questions about buy-and-build strategies
First, we make the strategic decision together with you: Which acquisitions make sense, in which business areas and regions, and what is manageable? Once the cornerstones of the buy-and-build strategy are in place, the systematic search begins. The target screening process includes:
- Identifying and evaluating Buy & Build opportunities
- Conceptual considerations and strategy development
- Jointly defining search criteria
- Systematic target screening of suitable target companies using primary and secondary sources (long list)
- Targeted filtering based on all investment criteria (shortlist)
- Assessment of operational and strategic fit
- Joint prioritization
- Creating detailed profiles of the most interesting candidates
Our contact network of experts and decision-makers helps to identify suitable companies quickly – outside of broad M&A processes and without the typical “spray and pray” approach.
- Preparatory discussions with industry insiders from the maconda network
- Careful, anonymous approach to the most interesting candidates using the proven maconda methodology
- Subtle exploration of cooperation or sale interest
- Organizing personal meetings when there is fundamental willingness to sell
When acquisitions are on the agenda and growth is desired in terms of market position, synergies, portfolio, or new customers and regions. Before the search begins, a strategy must be developed that aligns with the investor’s vision.
What type of acquisitions make sense, in which business areas and regions, and what is manageable? For financial investors additionally: How does this contribute to the equity story?
From the jointly defined search criteria, a long list is created through systematic target screening, which we filter into a shortlist based on the investment criteria. We create a detailed company profile of the prioritized candidates.
Carefully and anonymously, without disclosing the client. If there is fundamental willingness to sell, we schedule personal meetings.
We identify transaction opportunities early and outside of broad processes – through our contact network with insiders in industries we truly know.
For investors seeking investment opportunities and for companies that want to expand their business or portfolio companies through acquisitions.
Case Studies
Initial Situation
Provider of outpatient intensive care in private homes and shared care apartments prepares further expansion through acquisitions of competitors
Task
Targeted search for companies of appropriate size and situation in defined regions
maconda Contribution
- Development of a precise yet pragmatically usable search profile
- Preparatory discussions with industry insiders from the maconda network to establish a promising outreach strategy
- Comprehensive review of various information sources and extraction of promising companies for the long list
- Development of a short list through in-depth research of quantitative and qualitative indicators and targeted analytical discussions with industry insiders
- Assessment of operational and strategic fit with our client and selection of Priority 1 and Priority 2 targets
- Brief profiling of selected Priority 1 targets
- Anonymous outreach regarding general willingness to sell, scheduling of personal meetings
Initial Situation
Leading European manufacturer of outdoor lighting seeks further expansion through acquisitions
Task
Target screening and development of a precise target requirements profile
maconda Contribution
- Development of a precise target requirements profile aligned with the client’s strategic objectives
- Comprehensive screening for targets in German-speaking countries using secondary sources and interviews with several European associations and research institutes
- Development of a comprehensive long list with more than 100 potential targets
- More than 70 hidden calls to evaluate performance, strategy, innovation capability, and sales strength
- Selection and presentation of potential targets through detailed comparison of all relevant investment criteria; creation of a short list with suitable candidates
- Identification of strengths and weaknesses as well as market positioning of identified candidates through strong access to reliable sources and unfiltered information