Automation

Automation technology is applied in process industries, discrete industries and building automation. Although demand is strong, the automation industry is undergoing a period of fundamental transformation and finds itself at an important crossroads. The financial meltdown and resulting economic crisis hit many players hard. Those that survived still face tremendous challenges. Customer requirements are changing fast and business is shifting to new geographic regions. The way automation companies conduct their business must change too.

To remain competitive, companies must look beyond incremental opportunities to systemic and structural changes. These changes have much greater potential to improve competitiveness. Players need to capitalize on future opportunities, which means coping with the increase in demand for integrated application-specific solutions at the same time as responding to the need for standardization. This development has the potential to fundamentally transform existing business models and processes. In addition, emerging markets such as China and Brazil are exerting pressure on the developed world. The possibility of integrating systems will further drive consolidation in the industry.

We help our clients review their strategic positioning and transform their business models with respect to risk sharing and knowhow development. We address issues such as increasing efficiency in R&D management and designing sales and service networks. We also support companies in their MBO and M&A processes by carrying out commercial and market due diligences.

Our clients come from all industries relevant for automation suppliers. This fact allows us to integrate a customer perspective into our work. We regularly prepare and conduct acquisitions and mergers in the automation market.

Our work covers the entire value chain from design to manufacturing, including both upstream and downstream processes. We provide expertise in achieving strategic and operational excellence, and carry out restructuring where necessary. We combine an analytic yet pragmatic approach with in-depth industry expertise and implementation power, delivering effective solutions to our clients.