M&A Integration: Helping a global materials manufacturer realize their potential at a pivotal moment

A 350-year-old global performance materials company sought to expand its US operations through the acquisition of a high-growth semiconductor manufacturer. The integration represented a $5.8B transaction with $75M in projected annual synergies, making leadership alignment and cultural integration critical to success.

The company needed a partner to sit alongside McKinsey in the integration program office — shaping the overarching story, managing communications, and ensuring that change was understood and adopted across 7,500 employees worldwide.

From the close of the acquisition through the 12+ month integration, we led change and communications strategy and execution. We first worked cross-functionally in the global integration office and developed a change strategy that covered people, processes, and technology to support the two companies coming together. Then, we delivered an external communications package for customers and investors to explain the specifics of the deal and strategic importance of the acquisition.

In the 12 months post-acquisition, internal enablement was key to the success of the program. The executive leadership team and organization model was re-built to support the newly integrated business. A major focus of our work was executive leadership enablement. We supported the newly integrated leadership team through the transition with bi-annual leadership conferences, defining organizational values and making culture transformation an actionable and measurable endeavor.

From an Integration Program office seat, we enabled R&D, HR, Finance, Operations, QRMA, Legal, & IT to integrate the acquired company’s system, processes, and tools, ensuring that we leveraged the strengths of both organizations in the integration. BizLove was an integral contributor in every facet of change, culture and communications as it related to the M&A and Integration Program Office.