In a large deal, Milliken discovered post-close that the seller's team had prioritized their diligence questions over other bidders. This preferential treatment, earned through a respectful and strategic approach, created a significant information advantage during the competitive process.
Instead of a bloated checklist, Milliken focused its diligence for its largest acquisition on four critical questions tied directly to the investment thesis. This allowed a team of 100+ to prioritize efforts, "fail fast," and avoid analysis paralysis on the path to a go/no-go decision.
By completing extensive strategy work and securing board approval upfront, Milliken entered the final bidding stage as the "most certain bidder." This allowed them to close quickly and confidently, winning the deal despite not offering the highest price because the seller valued the assurance of a close.
Instead of focusing on transactional details, Milliken's M&A lead connects with founders on an emotional level. By understanding their ultimate vision, he frames the acquisition as the fastest path to achieving their dream, a question that has proven highly compelling and effective in closing deals.
Milliken visualizes its core capabilities (geography, tech, channels) on a "spider map." This identifies near-adjacent growth areas, building conviction for deals based on strategic fit and growth potential ("soft synergies") rather than cost-cutting ("hard synergies").
To guide investment, Milliken plots its business units on a matrix of "market attractiveness" versus "competitive position." This "bubble chart" visualizes which units are cash cows, need improvement, or are leaders, informing decisions on where to disproportionately invest capital for organic and inorganic growth.
On Day 2 post-close, Milliken's strategy team partners with the acquired company's leadership to co-develop a new 7-year strategic plan. This practice validates the diligence thesis while creating immediate buy-in and alignment around a shared long-term vision.
Unlike PE or public companies, long-held private family businesses often prioritize stable, growing dividends. Executives may be rewarded on enterprise value, but must align M&A strategy with the family's goal of dividend growth, as rising enterprise value can create undesirable tax burdens for shareholders.
After being burned by an acquisition where key customer programs were ending, Milliken now requires a "customer awareness study" for every deal. This involves third-party interviews to validate the target's brand strength, market perception, and any hidden customer-related risks before closing.