What makes a business competitive today can have a significant bearing on what makes it valuable to an acquirer tomorrow.
South Africa’s industrial businesses operate in a demanding environment shaped by global competition, technological change, evolving ownership models and changing investment requirements. Yet our engineering, manufacturing and mining expertise continues to create businesses with strong capabilities and significant growth potential, both locally and internationally.
IN FOCUS: Built to Last is a five-episode Creamer Media video series, produced in partnership with Deal Leaders International, exploring what it takes to build sustainable, competitive and valuable industrial businesses.
Through conversations with leading industrial executives, investors and advisory specialists, the series examines global competitiveness, ownership structures, consolidation, business valuation, succession planning and the factors influencing long-term value.
For business owners, there is an important question running through these conversations: are the decisions you are making today building a business that someone else may want to own tomorrow?
Because a successful exit rarely begins when you decide to sell. It is shaped by the capabilities, resilience, growth opportunities and strategic value built into the business over many years.
What makes a South African industrial business competitive internationally, and could those same capabilities make it more attractive to a future acquirer?
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Multotec Chairperson Thomas Holtz explores how the company has adapted its manufacturing, products and service model to compete across diverse international markets while retaining the technical expertise developed in South Africa.
South Africa’s depth of mining and engineering expertise has created capabilities that continue to be sought after around the world.
SRK Consulting South Africa Managing Director Andrew van Zyl explores how specialist technical expertise, experience and adaptability have helped South African professionals and businesses compete internationally, and where new opportunities may emerge as global mineral supply chains evolve.
How a business is owned and structured can influence its growth, resilience and future value.
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Vuna Partners investment professional Siya Nhlumayo explores how founder dependence, management capacity, capital allocation and strategic shareholding can shape the readiness for growth, investment and, ultimately, a future sale of a business.
A strong business is not always a business that is ready for investment, growth or a future sale.
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RMB Ventures CEO Amina Pahad explores how leadership depth, governance, transparency and reducing key dependencies can strengthen an industrial business, improve its attractiveness to investors and buyers, and create more options for its owners.
As consolidation gathers pace, what makes one business an attractive acquisition target while another risks being left behind?
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Epiroc’s Paola Ferrari and Differential Capital’s Mark Salmon explore what is driving M&A across mining and industrial services, what acquirers and investors look for, and how business owners can strengthen their competitive position and prepare for future opportunities.
What separates a good industrial business from one that can continue to grow in value?
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Rand Merchant Bank’s Keith Webb and Agile Capital’s Liz Kolobe explore the capabilities, growth strategies and market opportunities that can strengthen an industrial business over time, and the qualities that can ultimately make it more attractive to investors and future buyers.
The outcome of a business sale is often determined long before the business goes to market.
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Deal Leaders International joint CEOs Andrew Bahlmann and Rick Grantham explore what makes a business transaction-ready, why preparation and the right buyer matter, and how a competitive sale process can give owners greater choice when the time comes to sell.