Overview

QUAS was engaged to assist a group of investors from Eastern Europe in acquiring a poultry business in the UK.

Our team conducted in-depth research on the industry and targeted companies, analysing various economic, financial, technological, political, social, and environmental factors.

We tracked customer and supplier dynamics and analysed the industry's competitive landscape to identify potential risks or challenges.

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The acquisition allowed the investors to expand their portfolio and confidently enter the poultry industry.

Approach

This case study outlines the comprehensive process we used to assist an European investor in acquiring a poultry business in the UK, including the various research methodologies, theories, and frameworks we applied.

Our team began by conducting extensive desk research on the poultry industry and targeted companies, analysing economic, financial, technological, political, social, and environmental factors using PESTLE analysis. We also tracked customer and supplier dynamics through interviews and observations with industry stakeholders in order to assess supply chain risks and understand market trends using customer journey mapping.

We analysed the industry's competitive landscape using Porter's Five Forces framework to understand the market's attractiveness. This helped us to paint a comprehensive picture of the industry and companies under consideration and to identify any potential risks or challenges that could arise.

To gain a deeper understanding of the targeted companies and their operations, we conducted in-depth case studies and used ethnographic research to immerse ourselves in the culture and habits of customers in the poultry industry. This allowed us to identify any unique opportunities or challenges the companies were facing and to better understand the needs and motivations of their customers.

We carefully evaluated each company's financial stability under consideration using SWOT analysis, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. This allowed us to gauge their ability to weather any potential changes within their industry or beyond. We also examined contractual agreements to fully understand the obligations and liabilities of the target companies. This gave us a clear understanding of the financial health and stability of the companies and helped us to identify any potential issues that could impact the acquisition.

To ensure we covered all our bases, we enlisted the help of professional advisors such as lawyers and accountants/auditors. We used a due diligence checklist to guide our review process. We also examined publicly-available documents like credit rating reports and corporate publications to assess the liquidity and diversification potential of the target companies using the 4P's of Marketing and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs frameworks. This gave us a deeper understanding of the companies' financial positions and helped us identify potential red flags.

But our due diligence didn't stop there.

Using focus groups and surveys, we gathered feedback from relevant stakeholders, including board members' opinions and management team strategies. We also conducted thorough due diligence using both internal and external resources, including proprietary models and algorithms. We applied the Ansoff Matrix and Marketing Mix frameworks to understand the targeted companies' growth strategies and marketing tactics. By understanding the "value creation possibilities" of the acquisition over the long term using a value creation framework, we were able to make informed decisions about the potential risks and rewards of the acquisition.

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Our assessment enabled the investors to successfully acquire poultry businesses in the UK while minimising any potential risks. 

Our research and analysis provided a thorough knowledge of the poultry industry and the targeted companies, including their financial stability, legal and regulatory implications, and internal dynamics.