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O P I N I O N
Unlocking opportunities
When it comes to M&A, stay flexible and remember that it takes drive, determination, and the ability to connect people and ideas to achieve remarkable results.
T he ECS Group of Companies is one of the largest and most rapidly growing engineering and consulting companies in the U.S. Our growth is a natural outcome of our commitment and dedication to the success of our clients and employees. As a culture of doers, we roll up our sleeves and use our skills to help solve problems. We hustle. This commitment allows ECS to grow in each market we serve organically and through strategic acquisitions.
Tony Fiorillo
Over the last five years, ECS has acquired five companies throughout the U.S. with two being in the first quarter of 2020. In this article, we will discuss the key factors ECS focuses on for a successful mergers and acquisitions program. 1)Define strategic objectives. When ECS is looking for opportunity for growth, we begin by defining our objectives. Objectives could include market share, talent, specific technical expertise, or technology. In addition to growth, this is a good time to consider any specific operational concerns around capabilities that may need to be maximized or minimized. Depending on the strategy, acquisitions may serve as a way to achieve objectives quickly and effectively. 2)Conduct preliminary research on potential acquisition candidates. Our first step in a
selection process is to develop a long list of potential acquisition candidates. Search criteria could include candidates based on: ❚ ❚ Sector/industry ❚ ❚ Competitive position within the industry ❚ ❚ Revenue/size ❚ ❚ Market capitalization ❚ ❚ Location of operations After creating a list of potential acquisition candidates, we go back to the previously defined strategic objectives. This helps us to effectively narrow down the list of candidates.
See TONY FIORILLO, page 4
THE ZWEIG LETTER AUGUST 31, 2020, ISSUE 1359
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