ScottMadden - Management Consultants
News & Research: Client Successes

Case Study: M&A Integration to Realize Cost Savings

ScottMadden assisted an energy company with integrating the acquisition of another $3+ billion energy company.

Challenge
  • The acquiring energy company purchased an equally large energy company that provided services in another state
  • The acquisition handling was being closely watched by industry observers and Wall Street
  • The identification and realization of cost reduction synergies were key elements of this post-acquisition integration
  • The M&A integration process could not jeopardize the pace of the closing process
  • The organization design lacked internal measurements to track actual performance
Solution
  • Developed an M&A integration approach in the first 30 days
  • Established clear integration guidelines up front; variations from guidelines were not accepted, except in rate situations
  • Engaged consultants who understand the energy industry in facilitation, but solution development was necessarily left to the companies
  • Identified detailed synergy and integration opportunities in the next 90 days
  • Devoted subsequent months to organization design and staffing, as well as detailed process integration
Results
  • The deal closed in record time for the energy industry
  • Synergies, identified and ultimately realized, met the highly ambitious targets initially announced to Wall Street attendant earnings, and growth targets were in line with estimates
  • New organization design, staffing, and corresponding processes were in place to support the merged organizations
  • The acquisition is recognized as one of the few real merger successes in the industry
  • The company adopted a standard acquisition model (as opposed to a merger model) that accelerated the time frame and reduced the future expense associated with M&A integrations
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