M&A advisory firm Capstone Strategic surveyed middle-market executives from multiple industries on their growth and M&A experience in 2015 and their outlook for 2016. The survey was conducted in December 2015, and followed a previous survey in 2014.
Respondents gave a mixed picture of growth for their industries in 2015. More respondents saw extremes in their industries. Those reporting high growth grew from 4% in 2014 to 11% in 2015, while those reporting contraction grew from 2% in 2014 to 9% in 2015. Between these two poles, most respondents were seeing modest growth in their industries during 2015 (58%).
The environment for growth in 2015 was seen by most in a positive light, with the majority reporting the same (46%) or an improved (36%) environment.
M&A activity across the board in 2015 was mostly seen as the same (36%) or growing (33%) when compared to 2014.
Looking forward to the coming year, companies showed a stronger inclination to engage in M&A, compared to predictions when we last asked this question in 2014 (53% certain or likely, compared to 41%).
When asked about their growth goals, respondents were evenly split between “selling current products in new markets” (40%), “creating and selling new products in current markets” (36%), and “increasing sale of current products in current markets” (38%). (Some respondents were pursuing more than one goal).
As for barriers to engaging in M&A, these were largely internal, with respondents citing “lack of resources” (33%) as a primary reason not to pursue transactions.
Capstone’s CEO David Braun said: “This survey confirms what we ourselves observed, that 2015 was an active year for middle market M&A and 2016 is likely to prove an even stronger year. We see a growing polarization between growth-focused companies and those that are sitting on the sidelines. While many companies are still holding cash, more players are emboldened to expand through external growth. This includes acquisitions but also minority ownership deals, joint ventures and strategic alliances. When growth stagnates, M&A can often provide the fastest path forward. When growth is high, companies should seize the opportunity to plan for further expansion.”
The full survey, State of Middle Market M&A 2015, can be viewed by clicking here.
Capstone is a consulting firm located outside of Washington DC specializing in corporate growth strategies, primarily mergers & acquisitions. Founded in 1995 by CEO David Braun, Capstone has facilitated over $1 billion of successful transactions in a wide variety of manufacturing and service industries.