Industry
Industrials
Manufacturers and chemicals producers resetting footprints, costs and portfolios for a slower decade.
- Engagements since 2021
- 60+
- Mergers and carve-outs supported in the sector
- 21
- Average EBITDA margin improvement on full programs
- +6.5 pts
Overview
We work with chemicals, machinery, building materials and components manufacturers on mergers, footprint, procurement and operational performance across Europe, North America and Asia.
Industrial companies spent the last decade growing into steady demand. Many now face flat volumes, structurally higher energy costs in Europe and customers who want supply closer to home. The response usually involves hard choices about plants, portfolios and partners.
We work with chemicals producers, machinery and equipment makers, building materials companies and component suppliers. Much of our work in the sector involves mergers and carve-outs, where we cover the deal and the integration, along with footprint reviews, procurement and plant performance programs. Our Zurich office leads the practice, with teams in New York, London and Singapore.
What is shifting
The forces reshaping industrials
- 01
European energy costs have changed plant economics
Sites that were competitive five years ago are now marginal. Footprint decisions that were postponed can no longer wait.
- 02
Supply chains are being regionalized
Customers want shorter, more resilient supply, which means more plants closer to demand and harder trade-offs on scale.
- 03
Consolidation is accelerating
Slower volume growth makes scale more valuable, and mid-sized producers are merging to share fixed costs and research budgets.
- 04
Service revenue is a bigger share of value
Machinery and equipment makers are earning more from service, parts and software, which requires different sales and delivery models.
“Everyone warned us that the cultures would clash. What made the difference was deciding the top three layers of leadership before closing, so nobody spent the first six months wondering about their job.”
Services
How we help in this sector
- Mergers & AcquisitionsBetter deals and faster integrations, from target screening to the last saving booked.112%Average delivery against announced cost savings
- Operations & PerformanceLower cost, faster delivery and steadier quality, with savings that are still there in year three.15–25%Typical reduction in addressable cost
- People & OrganizationStructures, roles and leadership teams designed around the work, not around today's jobs.-20%Typical reduction in management layers and spans below five
Experts
Who leads the sector team
Have a decision on the table?
Tell us what you are weighing. A partner will reply within two working days, and the first conversation is on us.