You are currently viewing Acquisition Strategies: Developed Vs Developing countries

Acquisition Strategies: Developed Vs Developing countries

Mergers and Acquisitions, the stuff of newspaper headlines, quite often fail. Around 50% of mergers don’t achieve their business objectives, and takeovers cause most of the acquirers to lose money, according to several studies conducted over the past four decades. Yet, in an ironic twist, companies from developing countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Russia, and South Africa are us­ing M&A as their main globalization strategy today.

In this article, we try to bring out the difference in acquisition strategy of “companies from developing countries” and “companies from developed nations”. We describe characteristics of “companies from developing countries” ,their strategies and objectives of M&A. No doubt they are very confident but less arrogant. They are well-known entities in their home countries among customers, suppliers, and investors

Companies from developing countries

[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#ff0000″]

  • Are cash rich supported by the growing home markets and higher profit margins than those in the developed nations
  • Are not unduly concerned about dilution of shareholding as business families/founder promoters hold large stakes in the companies
  • Find valuation of companies from developed nations more attractive after the recent stock market crashes in the United States and Europe. Also, they can create value from takeovers more easily than corpo­rations from developed countries.

[/su_list]
Further Drivers and reasons for the M&A are quite different from “companies from developed nations”.

Different strategies

[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#ff0000″]

    • Unlike Western companies, which use M&A primarily to increase size ,enter new markets and reduce cost, emerging giants acquire western companies to gain complementary competencies- that is learning to deploy assets such as technology and brands, and capabilities such as new business model and innovation skills – that will enable them to become global leaders. Tata acquired Corus to acquire and deploy technology and brands. Similarly, Hindalco acquired Novaris to acquire technology and make value-added products for its customers
    • Operating costs aren’t an issue for emerging giants; as they know that they can transform an acquired company’s econom­ics simply by switching to the low-cost resources and business processes in the home country.
    • In addition, develop­ing countries tend to increasingly absorb Western companies’ output of techno­logically superior products. Many slow growing companies with low margins can be turned into fast-growing, high-margin enterprises by their acquirers in developing countries by reducing costs and increasing utilization by selling in the home country of acquirer
    • They recognize capabilities of a present management team of Target and hence avoid overturning acquisitions’ management structures. In fact, they retain them ,understand the whole processes and also make tough decisions for downsizing etc under old management leaders so that the regulatory authorities and workers do not object. and

Acquisition Strategies

  • They don’t reduce headcount immediately considering sensitivity and tough labor laws they face in the home country and in the process ensur­e smoother integration.
  • To realize their objectives, companies from developing countries now use new techniques to identify targets and inte­grate them. They acquire only to meet strategic goals; they don’t completely assimilate acquisitions; unless they are convinced that there is complete harmony in culture ,values and practices and that complete integration will not increase the burden on the parent by destroying/reducing its value.
  • CEOs focus on the long term goals while planning take­overs and evaluating results. They have a clear long-term vision guiding their actions; they are willing to wait for a takeover to pay off. Tata is ready to wait and watch to get value out of Corus acquisition .it has not taken any steps to merge Corus with itself ,though it is a forgone conclusion. Similarly, Hindalco management is not likely to take any step to legally integrate Novalis with itself till it is fully convinced that all inefficiencies and unrequited baggage are taken car of .

[su_list]
By applying these M&A prin­ciples, Indian aluminum pro­ducer Hindalco became one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aluminum. Hindalco pursued two prolonged strategies: It would generate economies of scale in the aluminum manufacturing business by setting up projects in India, and it would use cross-border acquisi­tions to break into the product market. Similarly, Tata becomes fourth largest steel producer in the world and has same strategies as Hindalco i.e. low-cost producer of steel in the world and value added steel products manufacturer by leveraging Corus technological superiority

Conclusion

Strategies used by “companies from developing countries” look risky in the short run but in the long run, they create a lot of value for all the stakeholder. They take all precautions to see that in their zeal to expand fast, they don’t destroy Value at home for their present stakeholders. Their strategies are comparatively sound because of their present strength as a low-cost producer ,ability and willingness to learn and absorb the technologies with no arrogance and support from huge local demands for newer and value added products.

So it is to be seen over next few years how MNC from developing countries create value and change headlines that most M&A succeed as compared to less than half the success rate as of now.

Our Service Offerings

[su_tabs]
[su_tab title=”Mergers and Acquisitions”]

Mergers and acquisitions have become an essential and integral part of corporate strategy and will gain more significance as competition intensifies and companies move up the growth curve. In fact, M&A should grow in magnitude across the scale regardless of type and size of corporate from the blue chips to S&M companies…… Know More.

To discuss how our team can help your business achieve true results, please Contact us

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Divestment Advisory Services”]

Family-owned companies often divest for various reasons including next generation not interested in carrying on the said business or to fund retirement etc. Carving out a business is often more complex than acquiring one and selling a carve-out business requires a greater level of planning, effort, and resources. HU Consultancy has extensive experience…… Know More.

To discuss how our team can help your business achieve true results, please Contact us

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Joint Ventures”]

Joint Venture is a right option for inorganic growth when both the parties to the transaction have unique strength and want to come together to leverage the strength of each other without affecting their present structure or ownership. With the advent of globalization and increasing business opportunities,…… Know More.

To discuss how our team can help your business achieve true results, please Contact us

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Financial Re-engineering”]

Financial re-engineering involves the radical redesign of core business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in return on investments. The company, may, in the long run, have some assets which are surplus or not being utilised by the core business. The effective utilisation of those assets / funds can increase value for stakeholders substantially. HU Consultancy offers financial re-engineering and debt restructuring …… Know More.

To discuss how our team can help your business achieve true results, please Contact us

[/su_tab]
[/su_tabs]

Leave a Reply