You don’t have to “go big or go home” to successfully grow your company through M&A. A small, well-executed acquisition that targets a specific need can sometimes be more powerful than a multi-billion dollar consolidation. Let’s take a look at a recent example from the news.
Earlier this month, Conagra announced it would acquire Thanasi Foods out of Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 2003 by Justin “Duke” Havlick, Thanasi is a privately held company with less than $20 million in revenue and sells two products: Duke’s meat snacks and Bigs sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
On the other hand, Conagra is an $11.6 billion company with an established product portfolio which includes brands such as Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice. So why is Conagra purchasing such a small acquisition? Conagra needs more SKUs, especially value added or “premium” products that will deepen its relationship with customers like Walmart, which is Conagra’s top customer.
Although Thanasi is a small company, its products already have some traction and customer approval in the marketplace. Duke’s and Bigs are sold in 45,000 retail locations and are in fast-growing segments. Depending on how you look at it, Duke’s and Bigs is a compliment or competitor to Conagra’s Slim Jims and David-branded seeds. Essentially Conagra is purchasing a form of proven R&D to run through their pipeline of customers on a larger scale.
Acquisitions don’t have to be huge to be significant. Especially in the middle market, a carefully planned, small, strategic deal can exponentially grow your business and help you reach your goals. Meaningful transactions are those that help your company become increasingly focused and effective, so don’t get too caught up in the numbers.
