Translink Corporate Finance reveals top trends shaping the industrials landscape

Translink Corporate Finance has unveiled its latest Industrials M&A Insights Report, providing an in-depth analysis of current trends and future projections shaping the industrials sector. The report emphasises ongoing investor interest and strategic consolidation within the industry. The insights indicate a robust M&A landscape, driven by high prices, strategic divesting and investing, and the omnipotent impact of Industry 4.0.

The impact of Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 represents a transformative wave for the industrials sector, with technological advancements such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, cloud computing, mobile technologies, machine-to-machine communication, robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence driving significant changes.

These technologies are revolutionising manufacturing, increasing operational complexity, and creating a dynamic environment that favours adaptable and technologically advanced companies. The integration of these technologies is expected to drive a surge in M&A activity as companies seek to acquire the necessary capabilities to stay competitive.

Industry 4.0 is not only changing how manufacturing is done but also impacting the strategic directions companies take. Businesses that successfully harness these technologies can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve product quality and customisation. However, companies that fail to adapt may struggle, leading to increased consolidation as larger, more technologically advanced companies acquire those that cannot keep pace.

The increased technological complexity requires significant investment in digital infrastructure and a skilled workforce capable of managing and leveraging these new tools. This shift is also likely to spur innovation, leading to new business models and service offerings within the industrials sector.

Other trends shaping the industrials landscape:

1. High prices persist in the industrials sector

The industrials sector has seen sustained high prices, buoyed by strong earnings across companies of all sizes in 2023. Private equity funds and family offices have played a pivotal role, launching new funds and seeking out small to medium-sized businesses with high growth potential. This persistent demand has driven up prices; a trend likely to continue barring any significant market uncertainties.

2. Divesting and investing strategies

Industrials companies are simultaneously divesting underperforming and non-core business units while making strategic acquisitions to diversify their portfolios. This dual approach allows companies to focus on core operations while expanding into new products, geographical markets, technologies, and services. The sector is expected to generate more revenue from services in the future, with blurred boundaries and increased cooperation between different industries.

3. Limited impact from crises in the industrials sector

Despite geopolitical conflicts, rising energy prices, and high interest rates, M&A activity in the industrials sector has remained relatively unaffected. Although there was a 34% decline in the total number of transactions in 2023 compared to 2022, the sector continues to be resilient. High costs of capital may impact future transaction volumes, but adaptable businesses are likely to weather these challenges.

4. Industrials transformative deals on the rise

The report anticipates a rise in industry-influential acquisitions as companies seek to acquire the digital capabilities necessary for future growth. E-commerce remains a significant focus, even for companies not traditionally involved in this channel.

5. Emphasis on ESG and green initiatives

Consumer and investor demand, along with tighter regulations, are driving companies to adopt strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agendas.  Companies will need comprehensive insights into their supply chains, extending to suppliers’ suppliers, to meet these demands.

6. Potential for increased competition regulations

Government regulations regarding competition, especially in the IT sector and other areas with dominant players, could impact the growth prospects of large companies. This may lead to more balanced competitive landscapes across various sectors.

7. In-sourcing and production investments

Supply chain challenges and increased freight costs are prompting more companies to in-source production. This trend is coupled with significant investments in robotics and digitisation to enhance efficiency and reduce dependency on global supply chains.

Translink Corporate Finance’s Industrials M&A Insights Report underscores a dynamic and evolving industrials sector. High prices, strategic M&A activity, and the profound impact of Industry 4.0 are shaping the future landscape. Companies that can adapt to these trends and leverage new technologies will likely thrive. As the sector continues to evolve, the demand for mergers and acquisitions is expected to remain strong, driven by the need for growth, diversification, and technological advancement.

With over five decades of experience, deep Industrials sector expertise and an extensive global footprint, Translink is perfectly positioned to be your partner to get the deal done.

Translink Corporate Finance has published its updated SaaS Valuation Index for Q2 2024. It confirms the sustained interest and growth in the SaaS sector observed over the past months, with stable valuations marking the quarter.

Key Highlights:

• Deal Volume: Q2 2024 witnessed 1 687 deals completed, a slight year-on-year decrease of 10.9% from over 1 894 deals in Q2 2023. However, deal volume has continued to grow quarter over quarter for the past nine months, surpassing the six-year average of approximately 1 200 deals per quarter.
• Valuations: Median valuations have stabilised at 3.6x NTM (Next Twelve Months) revenues, within the consistent range of 3.5x to 4x NTM revenues observed for over a year. This stability has fostered a higher deal volume.

Market Outlook:

The Translink CF team remains optimistic about the second half of 2024, expecting deal volumes to remain stable and valuations to stay close to a median of 4x NTM revenues. As we update our index for 2024, our goal remains to provide small and mid-size SaaS company owners with relevant information for assessing their business value.

Additional Insights:

• Stabilised Revenue Multiple: The revenue multiple for small/mid-market SaaS companies showed signs of stabilisation, with a median of 3.6x NTM revenue in Q2 2024, similar to Q1 2024.
• Premiums for Top Performers: Private Equity and strategic bidders are paying strong premiums for high-performing targets. In Q2 2024, SaaS companies with an R40 above 60 traded at an average premium of +200% compared to underperformers, consistent with Q1 2024.
• Regional Market Trends:
  • The US market still shows no signs of a strong rally on valuations, with the Index’s sample companies trading at a median of around c.5x NTM revenues for the past 18 months. Deal volume still trails Europe, despite increasing. The median multiple in Q2 settled at 4.7x NTM sales. ​
  • The European market leads in deal volumes, supported by stable valuations slightly below 3x NTM sales.
  • The RoW market has seen decreasing valuations to a low of 3.1x NTM revenues, with lower deal volumes and a delayed recovery.

Over the past 24 months, underperformers’ valuations have declined from 5.3x to 2.7x, while performers’ valuations have remained stable at around 5x, with top performers seeing an increase from 6.1x to 8.1x. The best-performing companies are leveraging their reliability and future vision to attract investors.

The SaaS sector continues to demonstrate robust investor interest and stability, making it a promising area for continued growth and investment. With deep expertise and a global footprint, Translink advisers get the deal done in the SaaS sector.