ERIKS is an industrial service provider offering a wide range of mechanical engineering components and associated technical and logistical services to industrial end-users. In seeking international expansion, ERIKS designated the ASEAN area and China as potential growth markets. As ERIKS had previously already contacted Larive to help in the development and execution of its internationalization strategies in Turkey and China, they again entrusted Larive with the task of finding a takeover target and/or partner in this region.

To facilitate this, Larive used its internal knowledge as well as its Asia-based network in order to launch a process of market intelligence gathering in the ASEAN + China area. Firstly, Larive established a list of partner characteristics based on ERIKS given specifications as well as Larive’s previous research experience in the sector. Larive provided strategic information on a case-by-case basis and furthermore made a long list of all prospective targets.

Elaborating in each step of the strategy development process, Larive narrowed down a list of acquisition targets, sketched growth scenarios based on micro- and macro data and came with a list of Chinese, Thai, Malaysian and Singaporese takeover prospects, each with their respective specialisations, focus industries, revenues and other relevant data for ERIKS to leverage.