Munich, July 16, 2024 – The Bundesverband M&A gem. e.V. (BM&A) held the M&A Awards ceremony as part of the M&A Summit in Munich on July 11, 2024. This prestigious event honored outstanding M&A transactions that have impressed through strategic planning and successful execution.
The Bundesverband für Mergers & Acquisitions gem. e.V. (BM&A), founded in 2003 under the leadership of Jan Pörschmann, is an important interest group for M&A professionals from corporates, SMEs, private equity and all types of advisory services required in the context of M&A and transformations. The association promotes the exchange of experience at the operational M&A level in order to increase the efficiency of M&A processes. Through working groups and an extensive program of events, BM&A provides access to valuable M&A networks and industry-relevant contacts.
The idea behind the M&A Award:
The M&A Award was created in 2023 to highlight the positive aspects and successes of M&A transactions. While major failures often dominate the headlines, BM&A wants to use this award to highlight the outstanding achievements. In today’s world, M&A plays an important role in the transformation of business models. The award recognizes transactions that have been strategically thought through and successfully implemented. Criteria such as synergy effects, changes within the company, employee integration and the acquisition context are decisive. “The presentation of the M&A Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the outstanding successes in our industry and to share best practices,” said Jan Pörschmann, Chairman of the BM&A Board, during the festive gala event.
Every acquisition is unique.
The research team led by Prof. Dr. Florian Bauer, University of Bristol, and Alexander Griesmeier, Grant Thornton, prepared the data anonymously for the jury. This consisted of industry experts and the previous year’s award winners. The overall aim of the M&A Awards is to identify commonalities in outstanding acquisitions and to share these best practices with the members. Prof. Dr. Florian Bauer, head of the research team, is convinced: “Our work in preparing the data shows that strategically planned and well-executed transactions have a significant positive impact on corporate development.”
M&A Award Categories 2024: The winner is….
The categories for the Corporate Award were finally determined by the jury:
Infineon Technologies AG and Deutsche Bahn AG won the Finalist 2024 category
Best M&A Playbook: This category recognizes transactions that stand out for their clear strategy and precise execution. Particular attention is paid to the ability to learn from past transactions and use this knowledge in future acquisitions. The winner was: Altana AG
Best Infrastructure Deal for Germany: This category recognizes transactions that have a sustainable impact on Germany as a business location and living space and pursue ESG goals. The winner was: EnBW
Most Resilient M&A Team: This category honors M&A teams that excel through outstanding teamwork and the successful orchestration of various stakeholders. The winner was: STEAG
M&A for a Greater Good: This category recognizes transactions that pursue significant social goals in addition to economic ones and have a profound social and ecological impact. The winner was: Biontech SE
In the Advisor Awards, the jury honored digatus with the M&A Transaction Advisory award, Moog Partner received the award for Best M&A Legal Advisory and Marktlink won Best M&A Advisory .
“The M&A Awards 2024 celebrate excellence and innovation in the M&A world. Each of these categories highlights key aspects that make for successful transactions. We are proud to shine a light on the stories behind these successful acquisitions and recognize the best of the best,” says Alexander Griesmeier, Partner at Grant Thornton AG.
