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.
- 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
- 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

- 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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