Snapshots

The HVACR industry has been undergoing a significant phase of consolidation, driven by the push for intelligent climate and energy management solutions to meet energy transition targets.

M&A deal volumes increased in 2024, with 95 deal completions compared to 87 in 2023, representing an 8% increase.

The specialty chemicals sector remained active in the second half of 2024, with 148 transactions, marking a 7% increase from the first half of the year and aligning with the long-term average of 139 deals per half-year.

Despite a slowdown in the rate of EV adoption in Western markets, the global automotive industry continues the rapid transmission to EV powertrain. The market is projected to grow at a 15% CAGR to 2032, double that of the overall automotive market.

The number of ICT Services M&A transactions in H2-24 totalled 170, increasing from 137 in H1-24, with the total disclosed deal value amounting to £3.1bn.

With strict technical and safety requirements, the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) market has robust investment characteristics. Clairfield is an active advisor in the sector and tracks companies and market developments. Our report details the market landscape, valuations and precedent transactions, and identifies multiple M&A opportunities.

The number of software M&A transactions in Q3-24 totalled 200 with the total disclosed deal value in Q3-24 amounting to £8.5bn. The volume of strategic trade acquisitions has remained strong throughout 2024 and we expect volumes to increase as serial acquirers in the market return to their high acquisition volumes.

M&A transaction activity was on a par with the previous 18 months, reflecting the ongoing cautious nature of deal making in the sector since the deal rush of 2021 and early 2022.