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Serial acquirer

Company that grows by repeated acquisitions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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A serial acquirer is a company that pursues a strategy of growth mainly through repeated mergers and acquisitions rather than relying solely on organic growth.[1] This approach is often associated with long-term "buy-and-build" or "roll-up" strategies, where numerous acquisitions are integrated into a larger operating platform.

Characteristics

Serial acquirers typically share several features:

  • A decentralized operating model allowing acquired firms to retain autonomy.[2]
  • Disciplined capital allocation, with acquisitions funded through reinvested cash flow.
  • A focus on acquiring smaller companies in fragmented industries.

Notable examples

Several publicly traded companies are frequently cited as examples of successful serial acquirers:

Criticism and risks

While serial acquisition strategies can generate significant growth, critics highlight risks including:[3]

  • Integration challenges across multiple acquired businesses
  • Potential overpayment or misallocation of capital
  • Reliance on favorable credit markets to finance acquisitions

See also

References

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