In this article for Automation World, Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, delves into the current macroeconomic landscape and summarizes the key automation trends and M&A insights detailed at a recent presentation to the Measurement, Control and Automation Association (MCAA) with Bundy Group's Director of Analytics and Consulting, Alex Chausovsky.
Despite initial concerns and varied opinions, 2023 proved to be a strong year with GDP reaching record highs. Based on this, Alex urged MCAA members to focus on the business investment category, particularly in assessing U.S. industrial production. Though a potential decline in the industrial sector is expected over the next few quarters, he expressed optimism for a recovery by the latter part of 2024 and into 2025.
Alex noted that strategic opportunities exist in specific sectors, such as electric vehicles and batteries, semiconductors, food and beverage, life sciences and renewable energy. He advised businesses to leverage this period to prepare for the next growth phase, emphasizing the need for resilience in supply chains and strategic planning.
Other issues addressed in our presentation included:
Insights into the automation M&A market: In 2023, nearly 200 closed transactions were tracked, showcasing a consistent monthly deal flow. This robust activity highlights a high demand for automation companies from both strategic buyers and financial sponsors, making it an opportune time for owners contemplating sales or capital raises. With more $3 trillion in capital seeking investment opportunities in privately held companies, owners have the flexibility to explore a full sale, a majority equity sale, a minority equity sale, or a debt capital raise. The current buyer demand-seller supply imbalance is driving valuations for quality automation firms into a positive direction.
From a buyer's standpoint, there is an attraction towards value-added service providers in the automation sector. The fragmented nature of the automation market provides buyers with opportunities to acquire and consolidate firms by leveraging scale benefits and generating synergies. This will ultimately help investment-minded groups achieve their returns objectives when they eventually sell their automation platforms.
Workforce shortages and the role of automation: Regardless of the sector, a scarcity of talent is a universal concern for business owners. Automation emerges as a key solution to tackle this challenge, with increased digitization and the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies playing a corresponding role for resolving this business dilemma. These underlying demand drivers are helping to accelerate the growth of the automation market.
2024 is expected to be a mix of predictable uncertainty with the presidential election and the ongoing maneuvering by the Fed for a post pandemic soft landing. While these factors are likely to have a cooling effect on businesses, investor interest in industrial automation businesses will continue to drive M&A activity. These conflicting drivers make strategic planning more difficult and critically important to the success of your business.
The session “Building and Realizing Business Value: Headwinds and Opportunities Ahead”—to be held at the Control System Integrators Association 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX, April 15-19—will combine insights from a team of experts who have advised numerous system integration business owners on growing and realizing the maximum value from their business with the hands-on experience of other system integrator owners and business leaders.
Topics to be addressed include:
Attendees will walk away from the session with the following actionable insights:
Register at: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=778474&
