RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become increasingly common and influential in the automotive aftermarket in recentyears. These transactions have played an important role in the transformation of the industry.
 
BB&T Capital Markets and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) have collaborated to provide the industry with a new annual publication about the M&A trend and how it is impacting the aftermarket, called the “2012 Automotive Aftermarket Mergers and Acquisitions: Year in Review and Outlook.”
 
This new annual publication, available to AASA member companies and BB&T clients, includes a list of all 2012 aftermarket mergers and acquisitions. The report notes that transactions have the potential to change the aftermarket, alter the customer base and challenge companies’ competitive positions.
 
BB&T notes that investors have become increasingly interested in the aftermarket. For example:
 
* In 2012, 136 aftermarket M&A deals closed
* The middle market (transaction values less than $1 billion) continued to drive deal activity in the aftermarket in 2012
* The deal market in 2013 is expected to be even busier. Both strategic buyers and private equity have cash and access to credit to make deals happen, and the drivers for industry consolidation remain.
 
The “2012 Automotive Aftermarket M&A Year in Review and Outlook” also breaks out aftermarket suppliers’ deals and deal drivers. The supplier M&A market was very active, as suppliers looked to grow market share within existing product lines and seek higher margins, AASA and BB&T noted.
 
AASA members can download the “2012 Automotive Aftermarket M&A Year in Review and Outlook” from the AASA website, www.aftermarketsuppliers.org or by clicking here.