Bolt-on acquisition

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Bolt-on acquisition refers to the acquisition of smaller companies, usually in the same line of business, that presents strategic value. This is in contrast to primary acquisitions of other companies which are generally in different industries, require larger investments, or are of similar size to the acquiring company. [1]

Contents

Overview

The trend of making bolt-on acquisitions is particularly prominent in downmarkets. Private equity firms support such smaller and strategic acquisitions in order to increase the value of the acquiring company prior to sale. Also in a downmarket, companies look to grow via smaller, strategic acquisitions rather than building through major business purchases or mergers that represent higher risks or are more difficult to finance. These bolt-on acquisitions allow companies to enhance their product portfolio, technological position, market reach and customer service capabilities with much lower levels of investment.

Another major advantage of bolt-on acquisitions is the enhancement of core businesses and using mergers and acquisitions activity to gain leadership positions in a limited number of areas. Bolt-on acquisition companies look to become more specialized in smaller selected areas rather than following a diversifying strategy.

Other potential benefits of these acquisitions over bigger acquisitions are:

Examples

Chemical companies like Akzo Nobel and Dupont have made significant number of bolt-on acquisitions.

According to a recent survey, 97 percent of private equity firms expect at least one in four of the companies in their portfolio to undertake a bolt-on buy prior to exit. [2]

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Venture capital Form of private-equity financing

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Private equity in the 1990s

Private equity in the 1990s relates to one of the major periods in the history of private equity and venture capital. Within the broader private equity industry, two distinct sub-industries, leveraged buyouts and venture capital, experienced growth along parallel although interrelated tracks.

Private equity in the 2000s

Private equity in the 2000s represents one of the major growth periods in the history of private equity and venture capital. Within the broader private equity industry, two distinct sub-industries, leveraged buyouts and venture capital expanded along parallel and interrelated tracks.

Corporate venture capital (CVC) is the investment of corporate funds directly in external startup companies. CVC is defined by the Business Dictionary as the "practice where a large firm takes an equity stake in a small but innovative or specialist firm, to which it may also provide management and marketing expertise; the objective is to gain a specific competitive advantage." Examples of CVCs include GV and Intel Capital.

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References

  1. "What Is a Tuck-In Acquisition?". Investopedia. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  2. "Glaxo CEO sees more bolt-on acquisitions in 2009". Reuters. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2021-10-12.