We’ve received a number of positive responses about our special series on add-ons. One partner at a NY-based private equity firm particularly liked our focus on why the right culture matters. “The key is retaining talent,” he wrote us. “Even when it’s not apparent where they’ll be a fit. We had one executive who had…

Last week we began a check-list sponsors tick off when sifting through acquisition candidates for their platform companies. Many items are company and sector-specific. How will product lines complement each other? Will different brands confuse customers? If so, can you benefit from synergies by maintaining separate identities? But one private equity partner highlighted the most…

The process of identifying successful add-ons is a complex one. Each sponsor has developed over the years a different style and methodology depending on their investing approach. As we’ve noted, it’s also very sector-specific. Not every portfolio company needs to, or should, have the same acquisition strategy. One partner walked us through two scenarios. “We…

Last week we began our series on acquisitions by platform companies of private equity sponsors (“add-ons”) by examining the various roles they play in enhancing value of the underlying businesses. This week we take a closer look at how different sponsors view and implement this strategy. For many firms, it starts with management. “For us,”…