Optimal Duration for Post-Merger Integration

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
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  • #95981
    Lisa Hall
    Participant

    In your experience, what is the optimal time range for post-merger integration, knowing that there are many factors that may come into play?

    #96095
    Thinus
    Participant

    In my experience this is all dependent on the complexity of the integration, thus putting a specific time frame too it is very difficult. But, most of the more complex integration I have done ran between 1-3 years and the biggest part that pushed out the timelines was the integration of the different technologies. Multiple regions and jurisdiction can also influence this as there are regulatory, compliance and financial requirements that can increase the time to complete the integration.

    #96220
    Chris
    Participant

    Great question.
    .
    We aim for 120 days from Day 1. Now that does not mean the integration is complete, but it does mean that the key elements of the post-merger integration has been assigned to the proper teams, and the post-merger integration elements are now really “business as usual”.
    .
    Key areas of culture, communication, employee benefits & payroll, training, etc. area all taken care of. The integration is now in a specialized state.
    .
    For example, as a technology company we have a lot of R&D in our acquisitions. Within 120 days, we have aligned all R&D people to our spectrum of talent, and they have been trained on expectations and growth paths in our company. There will still be a lot of R&D integration work to do, but the primary people integration elements are complete.
    .
    The complete integration would appear to be 2-4 years for us, depending on the size of the acquistion. We are only in our 3rd of integration and have performed 4 acquisitions in that period of time.

    #99861
    Olena Kosobutska
    Participant

    I would say that integration fully completed within 2 years is the best practice approach. Of course it will depends on the structured approach to the integration the company has in place. The thing is, the more the integration completion is delayed, the less value you would be able to realize from an acquisition.

    #100220
    Stefan Kramer
    Participant

    As the M&A team we try to limit our involvement to 100 days after day 1 of closing and then hand the integration work over to the business. Transformation is obviously not done after 100 days, but it is important for us to not make the success of the integration dependent on the M&A team.

    #100382
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks for the science.

    #100740
    Tyler Grimm
    Participant

    I like to use the term “stabilization” as the day 1 – 100 phase, where key integration tasks are executed to secure the business. Another consideration here can be timing of the year, fiscal and calendar, holiday impacts etc. I’ve seen employee benefits open enrollment, PTO and other static operational factors often play a role in determining this timeline as well, regarding seasonality.

    #101686
    Daniel Stocks
    Participant

    Really good information above.

    #101761
    David C
    Participant

    Ultimately it depends on the nature of the integration (& how complex merging together the two companies would be). For example, if both companies are in the same industry (with compatible company cultures), you could aim to conduct a 3-6 month merger. However, if both companies are from different industries (with incompatible cultures), then you may want to extend it to 1-2 years.

    #101809
    John Olmstead
    Participant

    It depends on the company type. We have had some that have gone on for a couple of years as we work on operational models etc. Some that are standalone companies its just days after close once financial reporting etc is set up.

    #103788
    Steve
    Participant

    Each deal is different, but it seems for every deal, aiming to execute within 180 days post close is optimal. There will still be plenty of work to be done after 180 days, but enabling the each function to operate more in a “business as usual” cadence seems to stabilize the efforts.

    #113102
    Francisco Aires
    Participant

    So many variables can impact the length of the integration period. Acquisition size, complexity, cultural issues, tech complexity, geographies, flexibility and adaptability , strategic goals, regulatory and compliance – this one could impact significantly the timeline.

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