Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been a significant aspect of business strategy in the United States from 1890 to 2000, as illustrated in this slide. The graph displays the number of M&A transactions over time, highlighting distinct waves of activity. Key periods are marked, indicating various strategic focuses that drove these transactions.
The first notable wave occurs around the turn of the 20th century, characterized by efforts to create monopolies, peaking around 1900 and again in the late 1980s. This suggests a historical trend where companies sought to consolidate power and market share, often leading to regulatory scrutiny.
The second wave, identified as "Vertical integration," spans from 1916 to 1929. This period reflects a strategic shift towards controlling supply chains, allowing firms to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The peak in this era indicates a strong inclination towards acquiring businesses that could provide essential inputs or distribution channels.
The "Conglomerate era," occurring between 1965 and 1969, marks a significant spike in transactions. Companies diversified their portfolios by acquiring firms in unrelated industries, driven by the belief that diversification could mitigate risk and enhance growth potential.
Lastly, the "Globalisation/value creation" phase from 1993 to 2001 shows another increase in M&A activity, suggesting a focus on expanding market reach and creating value through international operations. This trend reflects the growing interconnectedness of global markets and the strategic importance of cross-border transactions.
Overall, the slide encapsulates the evolving nature of M&A strategies over more than a century, providing valuable insights for executives considering their own strategic initiatives.
This slide is part of the Corporate Strategy Toolkit PowerPoint presentation.
This toolkit is created by trained McKinsey, BCG, and Porsche Consulting consultants and is the same used by MBB, Big 4, and Fortune 100 companies when performing Strategic Management Initiatives.
EXPLORE MORE SLIDES FROM THIS PRESENTATION
EXPLORE MORE PRESENTATIONS ON
Growth Strategy Strategy Development Operational Excellence Supply Chain Value Creation M&A
Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.
Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.
Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.
![]() |
Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates
Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Curve, and many more. |