Acquiring a PCB/EMS Shop: Brownfield vs. Greenfield
We often get asked about establishing a new company (greenfield) rather than buying an existing PCB or EMS shop (brownfield). There are many criteria to consider. Many buyers want to grow through M&A, but they cannot find acquisition targets that... Read More →
Tips From Recent Sellers and Buyers
M&A activity is at a very high level in the PCB and EMS sectors, as well as in most sectors of the economy. We recently talked with a wide variety of buyers and sellers and scribbled down some of their... Read More →
The ROI of M&A
The common stigma surrounding M&A is that 80% of deals do not reach expectations. Still, deals grab headlines, and many companies use M&A as their primary growth strategy. Is there a disconnect between reality and the headlines, or is the... Read More →
Due Diligence: Quality Inspection for Business Sales
When you buy a home, you get a home inspection. When you buy a car, you take it to the mechanic. Before shipping a board or assembly, it goes through several levels of inspection. Buying a business is like a... Read More →
Acquiring a Distressed Company
Everyone loves a bargain. Are you looking to acquire a beat-up Pinto with four bald tires and 300,000 miles, a gently used Malibu that was recently tuned up and washed, or a brand-new Tesla? Just like buying an old car... Read More →
Stress Testing Deals
Most M&A transactions fall apart several times before closing, even during normal times. When a major crisis occurs—whether internal or external—a deal can truly be stress tested. We hope everyone is healthy during the current COVID-19 outbreak. During this time... Read More →
Why buy a North American Manufacturer such as a PCB/PCBA Shop?
Last month, the IPC (PCB Industry group) came out with very positive statistics about the North American PCB market, including sales growth, a healthy book-to-bill ratio, and other indicators. Overall, the US economy is strong, and manufacturing has seen a... Read More →
Lessons From Recent PCB/PCBA Buyers
I’ve reached out to several of our buy-side clients as well as others who have recently made acquisitions in the PCB and PCBA sectors. Here are some of their thoughts on what went right, what went wrong, and what they... Read More →
Trust Is a Major Factor in M&A Transactions
Trust is critical in M&A transactions. Both parties are naturally suspicious of each other, and tensions run high even in the smoothest of deals, so any small molehill can be magnified into Mt. Everest. Buyers worry that they are paying... Read More →