WAYLAND, MA – Seventy one percent of architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms plan to conduct a merger or acquisition in the next five years, according to the 2009 Merger & Acquisition Survey, a recent study by ZweigWhite.
Promises of geographic expansion and adding new clients are motivating potential buyers to grow through acquisition, the survey found. And with firm valuations down from their pre-recession highs and firm owners of the baby boomer generation nearing retirement age, many firms are finding that this is an opportune time to buy.
“Right now, an acquisition makes good business sense, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy,” says Gregory Hart, a consultant with ZweigWhite who specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services. “In fact, some experts estimate that more than half of all mergers or acquisitions either fail to meet expectations or actually diminish shareholder value, so it’s crucial that firms do their homework before going through with a deal. That means understanding and articulating the strategic context, getting the most mileage out of due diligence efforts, and following through on integration. This may sound ominous or overwhelming, but it shouldn’t. Through in-house and outside resources, building a solid team of trusted advisors can make the process go a lot smoother.”
Gregory Hart’s free white paper, “Beating the Odds: Five Proven Strategies for Seeking Growth through Mergers or Acquisitions,” is available for immediate download at www.zweigwhite.com/zw-794.aspx. To learn more about Gregory Hart and ZweigWhite’s Merger and Acquisition Services, visit www.zweigwhite.com/d-8-merger-acquisition-services.aspx or www.zweigwhite.com/p-787-gregory-hart.aspx.
The 2009 Merger & Acquisition Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms provides all the latest data on the state of merger and acquisition activity in the design and environmental consulting industry. It is available from the publisher at www.zweigwhite.com/zw-738.aspx.
About ZweigWhite
ZweigWhite is one of the nation’s leading sources of business management services for architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms. The ZweigWhite team consists of experts in strategic business planning, business valuation, ownership transition, human resources management, finance and administration, mergers and acquisitions, market research, marketing, project management and project delivery methods who collectively produce a comprehensive suite of products and services, including newsletters, industry reports, executive training, business conferences, and advisory services covering virtually every aspect of firm management. The firm is headquartered in Wayland, MA, with additional offices in, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
