A strategic buyer is typically an operating company that usually has some relationship in the product line or service sector you are in. You would often consider them a competitor, supplier and perhaps even a customer of your company. Bottom line is they usually have strong industry knowledge.
Strategic buyers are looking for synergies or additions. These synergistic benefits are often the motivation behind the acquisition. As a result, valuations can be higher for a strategic buyer, because the synergies created can bring greater returns. There is an expression in my industry, solve a problem for a strategic buyer and the solution can create very different valuation math.
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- 1. Expansion can be vertical, such as acquiring a supplier or customer or
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- 2. Horizontal, expanding in news markets or products.
Strategic acquisitions tend to be accretive. Economies of scale and scope usually come into play in strategic acquisitions.
As I implied during the last M&A minute. The Strategic buyer doesn’t always need your management team, personnel, facilities, or back room services. They often bring their own capabilities to the table. Where there is duplication, those positions, services and processes are often consolidated or eliminated. Their goal is usually one of integration to their existing systems. As a general rule, they tend to be all or nothing in the acquisition meaning they will typically buy only a 100% of the company.
Strategic acquirers are just one of the two primary types of buyers. Next month we will dig deeper into the other primary group and that is Financial buyers.