Latest industry news, current research and more information about Hampleton's events and webinars.

While visions of the android takeover still loom large in science fiction, in science fact collaborative robots, or cobots, are increasingly working peacefully side-by-side with their human colleagues. And with robotics and machinery accounting for 43 per cent of Industry 4.0 M&A transactions in the DACH region in 2018, it’s clear that this technology is shaping up to be the next frontier in manufacturing. In this, the third in our series on Industry 4.0 in the DACH region, we look at how cobots are taking their place in big business and SMBs alike.

Media hype and the bullish attitude of Silicon Valley tech giants might have you believe that no one wants to own a car anymore. Admittedly, some statistics might support this view: for example, in 2018, new car sales in the UK were down 6.8% year-on-year, while in Germany the number of young people learning to drive has fallen by 28% over the last decade.

Hampleton Partners’ analysis of growth capital reveals that 2018 marked another record year for global venture capital financing, with a total disclosed value of $185 bn (€165 billion) raised across more than 12,500 transactions. The international technology M&A and growth finance advisors reveal that total transaction volume grew five per cent per year from 2014 to 2018 across the globe, while total value raised grew by 13 per cent, suggesting that funding rounds are becoming larger. 

In the first article in our Industry 4.0 in DACH series, we focus on M&A in the smart buildings sector and look at the opportunities new technologies being used to connect, monitor and control what goes on in buildings bring to new and established businesses. 

The latest M&A market report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, sheds light on how technology giants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) are transforming their businesses by buying, funding or partnering with connected and intelligent manufacturing technologies and data management companies to ensure they are well-positioned for the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Industry 4.0.

Hampleton’s Industry 4.0 M&A Market Report records more than 600 deals in 2018, up from 513 in 2017. The analysis reveals that the highest level of interest lies in AI technologies, digital threads and digital twin solutions.

Hampleton Partners has advised 2getthere Holding B.V., a leading manufacturer of driverless electric shuttles for future urban mobility, on its majority acquisition by ZF Friedrichshafen, the global automotive supplier and front-runner in developing the next generation of autonomous vehicle technology. This is the second autonomous vehicle technology transaction closed by Hampleton within the space of nine months.

In today’s e-commerce world, persuading a new customer to hit the ‘buy’ button is only half the battle. Once they win that initial sale, B2C e-commerce brands must work equally hard to retain their customer and prime them for the next purchase.

London, UK – 11 March 2019. The latest M&A market reports from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, on the Enterprise Software and IT & Business Services sectors show consistent growth in transaction volume, multiples and valuations, with Enterprise Software M&A disclosed deal value achieving a whopping $182.2 billion in 2018 – a five-year high.

In the UK, 18.2% of the population is currently aged 65 years or over, compared to 15.9% in 2017 and a predicted 20.7% by 2027. This significant demographic shift is affecting developed and developing countries alike. 

While this is in many ways something to celebrate, as people are living longer due to improved healthcare, it brings associated problems which are likely to worsen over time.

The latest E-Commerce and Digital Marketing M&A Market Reports from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, reveal that 2018 recorded a $20 billion increase in disclosed e-commerce M&A value compared to 2017, boosted by mega-deals such as Walmart’s ambitious $16 billion purchase of Flipkart and Adobe’s acquisition of Marketo for $4.75 billion.