About UsYou Are Ready
to Sell Now
Your Company Has
Been Approached
Timing Your ExitOur ServicesOur IndustriesContact Us
Our Industries
Aerospace & Defense
Chemical
Construction & Building Materials
Energy & Utilities
Entertainment, Media & Publishing
Food & Beverage
Healthcare
Hospitality & Leisure
Manufacturing & Industrial
Medical Device & Biotech
Retail & Consumer
Software & IT Services
Technology & Communications
Transportation, Logistics & Automotive

Chemical

Chemical and chemical manufacturing M&A activity has tended to mirror other sectors, which has meant that demand is usually very cyclical.  Sellers in this industry must time their marketing approaches carefully to ensure they are selling at a point of strength.   Admittedly, this can be difficult to time due to the price of energy, which is a major component of a typical chemical manufacturer’s production costs.

Regulatory and environmental barriers to entry can yield handsome rewards for chemical companies that are looking to sell.  This is because newcomers often find it difficult to obtain the necessary permits, regulatory approval that existing companies have.  Additionally, if chemical manufacturers have been grandfathered in, these exemptions can be extremely valuable to incoming buyers.  M&A activity in the chemical sector has been influenced by the increase in imports, although some sectors such as agricultural chemicals increased by 19.6 percent.  Pharmaceuticals and medicine declined by 4.2 percent.  Again, the sellers that fared best were those that had diversified operations and those that had overcome the regulatory and environmental barriers to entry.

Recent M&A Trends

The lower middle-market (deals under $100 million) has weathered the credit freeze and "Great Recession" better than the upper middle market has. The deal landscape for the middle market has changed as Wall Street has struggled, but so far, deals are getting done.

The biggest change has been in the deals has been valuations, reliance on debt and reliance on the seller to finance part of the deal. We have seen an increased use of earn-outs, which are typically used in periods where interest rates are high or credit is tight. Thus, PE groups have not stopped investing, and in fact are aggressively trying to deploy their capital into middle-market companies.

As profits are returning, many strategic buyers are more willing to use their cash reserves to purchase various technologies or intangibles that are of synergistic value to them.

Depending on your situation, now could be a good time to seek an exit or even plan for an exit several years down the road. For those that want top dollar for their company and know it will achieve strong, consistent growth for many years, now is definitely not the right time to sell. While valuations may be down, there are many creative ways of structuring deals that may not affect your end proceeds much.

Therefore, if you are a business owner looking to sell, do not avoid doing so due to market conditions. While current market conditions might require a more nuanced approach, the directors at Orion Capital Group have the experience to help you weather these current changes.

If you would like to learn more about Orion Capital Group, please contact us by your prefered means. Any mode of communication is held strictly confidential.
<< Aerospace & Defense Construction & Building Materials >>

Our Interactive Toolbox

Check Your Orion Acquisition Score: How Buyer Friendly are you?
Interactive Calculator: How Much Is Your Company Worth?

Must Read Articles

When is the Right Time To Sell?
The Way Buyers Really Value Your Company
More Articles»

Recent Transactions:
First slide
Second slide
Third slide
Fourth slide
Fifth slide

inc inc american express entrepreneur silicon valley business journal M&A advisor
Join Our Team | Dictionary | Resources

© 2025 Orion Capital Group. All Rights Reserved.

Investment Banking Services Through ShP Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC