Mergers on the upswing

PMP’s exclusive survey finds that merging with a larger company can offer many benefits.

It was a record year for mergers and acquisitions in 2015. The Wall Street Journal reports that more than $4.3 trillion in deals went down last year. But would you jump at the chance to merge your company?

Pest Management Professional (PMP) surveyed readers to learn whether they plan to merge their businesses in the near future. We compared the data we gathered this year with the results from surveys we conducted in 2012 and 2014.

This year, our exclusive survey found that the majority of our readers have no immediate plans to merge. If that’s how you feel, too, you may wonder why you should even think about mergers at this point in your pest management career.

The reality is, planning for the future cannot wait. What will happen to the pest management company you worked so hard to create and maintain?

The economy certainly is a factor to consider when deciding to merge. A pest management professional who can prove the business is a success will have a better chance of making a deal with a company willing to pay top dollar. Respondents of each of our three surveys said they were less likely to strike a deal due to current economic conditions.

Despite that belief, the overwhelming majority of respondents agree that every business owner has a price. Even if you’re not actively seeking to merge with another company, our surveys show you will jump at the chance if the price is right. And what better reason is there for planning ahead? You never know when a prospective merger partner might come knocking.

View a PDF of the Merger Guide.

Managing Editor Diane Sofranec can be reached at dsofranec@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3793.