Kiwi firms trail global average in cross-border acquisitions
New Zealand companies must be more active if they are to compete internationally - report.
BUSINESSDESK: Kiwi firms are lagging behind the global average for cross-border mergers and acquisitions and need to be more active if they are to compete internationally, says Grant Thornton.
Some 24% of companies here are planning to grow through overseas acquisitions in the next three years, below the global average of 33%, says the latest Grant Thornton International Business Report.
That compares with 37% of North America firms and 36% of those inBritain and Ireland.
New Zealand's ranked higher than mainland Europe on 28% and the Asia Pacific on 25%.
“With our size, geographic isolation and intellectual property, it is imperative we are above the global average when it comes to cross-border acquisitions," head of lead advisory Martin Gray said.
“Where is the New Zealand strategy to help our companies acquire businesses internationally so they become more involved in this chain, thereby reaping larger profits?"
New Zealand companies seeking revenue and value growth identified three key areas for attaining these goals, including building scale, accessing new geographical markets and acquiring technology or establishing brands.
“Just look at how overseas companies are able to come to New Zealand and buy our companies for higher prices," Mr Gray said.
"We should spend more time exploring why the price is higher and position ourselves to participate in a greater share of margin throughout the global value chain.
“Strategic acquisitions internationally are an enabler of these goals,” he said.
The research, which interviewed 12,000 businesses worldwide, found that despite on-going economic uncertainty globally, businesses’ appetite for mergers and acquisitions had improved over the past 24 months.
"Domestic M&A remains high on the agendas of business leaders," Mr Gray said.
"We just have to make sure that New Zealand companies are part of this growth trend.”
Hannah Lynch
Thu, 10 May 2012
Thu, 10 May 2012
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Kiwi firms trail global average in cross-border acquisitions
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