The work after the deal – integrating the companies

After the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal has been agreed, the acquired company has to be integrated – a real challenge for all involved. For the integration process to go smoothly and efficiently, the balance needs to be struck between a clear structure and an individual approach.

M&A deals are daily business in every dynamic industry. Acquiring other businesses means expanding and adding to your portfolio. This kind of ‘marriage’ produces synergies, which – if applied properly – can lead to a special kind of value creation on the market. But the deal is not the end of the story. The question quickly raises itself how the deal should be implemented on the operational level. Just because an M&A deal was a success, certainly doesn’t mean the two companies will merge perfectly into one. There are typically differences in company culture and different ways of working. For two companies to grow together requires a high degree of coordination and tact.
The first issue is to develop a common vision across the entire enterprise. The parties involved will only commit to a common goal once a new direction for both parts of the business has been laid down. The employees, or even whole departments, find this easier or more difficult depending on their role in the organisation. That’s why we work methodically through the entire integration process and are conscious of the effects of changes to systems.

Integration with Grant Thornton

With Grant Thornton you can save time, minimise risks and avoid pitfalls at every phase of integration. At Grant Thornton we successfully manage integrations that are individual, fast and with the maximum of understanding. Taking into account each company’s (national or international) culture and using our particular industry expertise, the Grant Thornton experts take a methodical approach. This includes a strategic evaluation of the status quo, such as the expertise and specialist know-how required to transform your integration into a success story.

Our services include:

• defining the integration strategy
• developing and validating the integration plan
• planning and verifying integration synergies
• training integration teams
• joint steering and support of integration projects
• implementing continuous synergy reporting
• developing the new business model and organisational structure
• assisting with communication in all areas
• consulting in terminating transitional service agreements and service level agreements.

Contact our expert and Partner Alexander Griesmeier. Together we’ll find the customised approach that’s best for your integration.

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