The Power of Projections
We are headed toward that time of year many of us dread—budgeting for the next year. This budgeting process becomes a huge tug-of-war because there is a lot at stake in terms of resources, bonuses, and pride. Unfortunately, many companies either give it little effort or they forgo the process entirely. However, budgets and projections... Read More →
2023 Mid-Year North American PCB and EMS M&A Update
The M&A market for North American PCB and EMS companies was quite active in the first half of 2023. In the PCB sector, our records show seven deals were completed in the first six months of 2023, compared to only five in all of 2022. In addition, two deals have been announced in July. In... Read More →
GP Ventures Represents Sunstone Circuits in their Sale to American Standard Circuits
July 2023 American Standard Circuits (ASC) and Sunstone Circuits are excited to announce their merger, creating a dynamic partnership that will revolutionize the printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing landscape. This strategic alliance brings numerous advantages to customers, establishing a new standard of excellence in PCB solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed. The combination of American... Read More →
How to Announce a Deal
Congrats! You’ve sold your company, and now it’s time to celebrate by making an announcement—from the beach, golf course, or the deck of a round-the-world cruise, right? In fact, it really is better if the announcement has some careful thought and planning, and this means spending a little more time in the office working on... Read More →
With M&A Deals, Timing is Everything
Business owners frequently ask whether the time is right to sell their business. Timing can make all the difference in getting a premium value for your business. If all signs are positive, more buyers will be interested, investors and lenders will feel that, and deals will go more smoothly. But getting the timing right is... Read More →
Seven Drivers of Market Success
Throughout my years in electronics M&A, I have seen some companies succeed and others fail. A variety of factors determine the success of a company, from great leadership to a strong corporate culture and luck. I define a successful company as one that is profitable and receives attractive offers in the market, whereas a failing... Read More →
Selling a Business vs. Selling a Product
Over the years, you became an expert at selling products, so much so that it became second nature. Now it is time to sell the business, and suddenly you feel uncomfortable. Many owners become educated by experiencing one or more busted deals. With a little preparation and research, you can help increase the odds of... Read More →
M&A Deals in PCB and EMS Industry in 2022
Last year turned out to be a fairly slow year for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the North American PCB and EMS sectors. We counted just seven completed or announced deals in the PCB sector last year, compared to 13 in 2021, nine in 2020, and eight in 2019. Firan Technology Group announced two of... Read More →
170 (Estimated Number of North American PCB Shops)
According to GP Ventures’ database, the number of PCB companies in North America is now down to 170. Just 22 months ago, the number was 199. Frankly, the actual number of active PCB manufacturers in the United States and Canada is probably closer to 150, but it is hard to keep track of the smaller... Read More →
Breaking Out of the Box
Many businesses are “in a box,” that is, stuck within a range of revenues and profits. Some boxes can be velvet-lined and comfortable; others are lined with sandpaper. Buyers will usually pay more for companies that are growing, profitable, investing, and are doing something different from the competition. Buyers will pay less for companies that... Read More →