OVERVIEW
A survey published in January by DLA Piper suggested that buyers of companies are having a rough time completing acquisitions within the anticipated time frame. 50% of European corporates are finding that deals are taking longer than six months, and four in 10 private equity purchases are taking longer than expected despite the fact that vendors and auctioneers are pushing for rapid closings.

This special report is a reminder of just how complicated the acquisition process has become. Even if you’re not in the business of pursuing multi-billion dollar cross border transactions, there are plenty of potential headaches lurking in the mid-market as well. Deal makers therefore must go into the process well prepared and with their eyes wide open.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction – Buying under pressure
Expert commentary: Environment due diligence – Extended producer responsibility
Forensic due diligence – Forensics in fashion
Expert commentary: Strategic due diligence – A return to strategic due diligence
Pension due diligence – The deficit dilemma
Expert commentary: Financial due diligence – Ignore financial reporting valuation at your own risk!
Expert commentary: Systems due diligence – Take the IT seriously
IT due diligence – paying IT forward