One of the most effective ways for strategic buyers to grow through acquisitions is to “take frequent small bites of the apple,” or to conduct a series of smaller, strategic acquisitions in order to achieve a growth goal. Even those these deals might not be as “exciting” as mergers between two huge competitors, they can be just as (or even more) impactful for an organization’s success.
A recent example of this approach is German chemical manufacturer Evonik, which is building its cosmetic ingredient business through acquisitions. On March 13, the company announced it will acquire cosmetic ingredient manufacturer Dr. Straetmans GmbH for $107 million. The deal is Evonik’s second in the cosmetic ingredient sector; last year, the company acquired Air Products and Chemical’s coatings and additive operations for $3.8 billion.
It is possible to achieve significant growth by executing smaller deals and sometimes an iterative process can be more effective than one sweeping change. Most of us have probably taken a class or read an article on leadership about achieving goals where a common suggestion is to break down a large goal into achievable steps. Executing a series of strategic acquisitions is similar. Each deal builds on the previous one, like a step in a staircase, bringing you closer and closer to your goal.
Change, even good change, can be difficult to process and many companies struggle when it comes to post-merger integration. This risk is greatly reduced with a small deal because it is easier to digest and there are fewer moving pieces. In between deals you have time to adjust, evaluate your newly merged company and determine when and how to pursue your next deal. This time of re-calibration between deals will help you build a strong foundation for achieving your dreams.
