With M&A Deals, Timing is Everything
Business owners frequently ask whether the time is right to sell their business. Timing can make all the difference in getting a premium value for your business. If all signs are positive, more buyers will be interested, investors and lenders will feel that, and deals will go more smoothly. But getting the timing right is... Read More →
Seven Drivers of Market Success
Throughout my years in electronics M&A, I have seen some companies succeed and others fail. A variety of factors determine the success of a company, from great leadership to a strong corporate culture and luck. I define a successful company as one that is profitable and receives attractive offers in the market, whereas a failing... Read More →
Selling a Business vs. Selling a Product
Over the years, you became an expert at selling products, so much so that it became second nature. Now it is time to sell the business, and suddenly you feel uncomfortable. Many owners become educated by experiencing one or more busted deals. With a little preparation and research, you can help increase the odds of... Read More →
M&A Deals in PCB and EMS Industry in 2022
Last year turned out to be a fairly slow year for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the North American PCB and EMS sectors. We counted just seven completed or announced deals in the PCB sector last year, compared to 13 in 2021, nine in 2020, and eight in 2019. Firan Technology Group announced two of... Read More →
170 (Estimated Number of North American PCB Shops)
According to GP Ventures’ database, the number of PCB companies in North America is now down to 170. Just 22 months ago, the number was 199. Frankly, the actual number of active PCB manufacturers in the United States and Canada is probably closer to 150, but it is hard to keep track of the smaller... Read More →
Breaking Out of the Box
Many businesses are “in a box,” that is, stuck within a range of revenues and profits. Some boxes can be velvet-lined and comfortable; others are lined with sandpaper. Buyers will usually pay more for companies that are growing, profitable, investing, and are doing something different from the competition. Buyers will pay less for companies that... Read More →
Mid-Year PCB and EMS North American M&A Update
Mergers and acquisitions in North America in the PCB and EMS sectors during the first eight months of 2022 were down compared to the same period in 2021. In the PCB sector, we counted four deals in 2022 compared to seven during the first eight months of 2021. In the EMS sector, we are aware... Read More →
Concerns About ESG Issues in PCB M&A
Recently, ESG issues have become more prominent in business as well as in M&A deals. ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. Too bad it does not stand for “Eat something good,” but it can stand for improving operations and how stakeholders view the business. Here are some of the factors that go into an... Read More →
A Primer on M&A
Feature Interview by Dan Beaulieu D. B. MANAGEMENT GROUP Tom Kastner of GP Ventures is a busy man these days. He’s been involved in several M&A deals, including the sale of Royal Circuits and Advanced Assembly in May to Summit Interconnect. Tom spent some time with Dan Beaulieu, who often consults with PCB and PCBA companies,... Read More →
Today’s M&A: Right on Target
Feature Interview by Nolan Johnson I-CONNECT007 In this enlightening conversation with M&A specialist Tom Kastner, Nolan Johnson learns that it’s a buyer’s market—and a seller’s market too. This sets up an interesting dynamic no matter which side you might be on. What trends are in play that have led to this situation and how can... Read More →