Litmus Partnership reveals research into contractor mergers

04 September 2015 by
Litmus Partnership reveals research into contractor mergers

Product and service quality, good communication and continuity are the most important factors for clients when it comes to business mergers and acquisitions, according to the Litmus Partnership.

The catering and facilities management consultant conducted the research following several recent high profile mergers and acquisitions within the sectors. These include CH&Co and HCM, Lexington and Elior, ISS and GH Hall, and WSH and Searcys.

Litmus decided to undertake the study to discover the impact of change and to determine the hopes and fears of clients.

Nigel Forbes, managing partner at the Litmus Partnership, said: "Given the period of consolidation the services sector has been going through, and will likely continue to go through, it was important to find out what clients really feel about this issue.

"Many assumptions are made by clients and contractors alike but this is the first time that detailed research has been completed to reveal how clients really feel in these situations.

"The overall impression is that clients prefer that there be no change but if there is change, the critical factors for contractors to address are good communication and continuity of service and product quality.

"Most clients appear to trust the relationships they have built up with their contractor and are prepared to give them the space to watch how things progress but we also know that many will consider retendering if standards slip."

Research found that clients preferred stability, with 74% stating they would prefer no change in contractor status. The second preference (60%) was for their contractor to be acquired by another contractor and third choice (46%) was for a merger with another contractor.

The biggest concern was that service and product quality would reduce (82%), with 62% of clients confirming they were worried that costs would increase as a result of the change.

CH&Co and HCM Group merge >>Elior buys Lexington Catering >>

Is it time for a change? See all the current contract catering vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs >>

Latest video from The Caterer

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking