This paper investigates inorganic growth strategies in PE buyouts where the portfolio firm, which has been acquired in the initial buyout, serves as a platform for subsequent add-on acquisitions. We analyze a comprehensive sample of 9548 buyouts and 4937 add-on acquisitions spanning 16years of buyout activity in 86 countries. We find that the probability for add-on acquisitions is high if the PE sponsor is experienced and has reputational capital, if the portfolio firm is large, has M&A experience at entry and operates in an industry with moderate degree of fragmentation, as well as in case of favorable financing conditions. Similar factors also explain higher add-on productivity and faster add-on execution. On average, cross-border/industry diversifying inorganic growth strategies are most likely if the portfolio company already draws upon international/inter-industrial M&A experience at entry and if the PE sponsor frequently invests across borders/industries. Furthermore, our results indicate that add-on acquisitions increase the probability for exiting through IPO and secondary buyout. The effect on secondary buyouts is driven by deals where the subsequent PE owner continues the inorganic growth strategy of the previous buyout.

We investigate the pricing and value creation in private equity-backed buy-and-build (B&B) strategies using a sample of 3399 buyouts between 1997 and 2020 as well as proprietary performance data. We find that private equity firms pay sizable premiums for B&B platforms. The transaction multiples are similar to those paid by strategic acquirers for matched targets. Despite paying high premiums, private equity firms generate above-average equity returns in B&B strategies. This is because of both higher top-line growth and multiple expansion. To back up our empirical results and shed light on decision-making in B&B strategies, we present evidence from the field. Survey results from 32 interviews with private equity managers provide novel insights into B&B rationale, valuation practices, pricing, value creation, acquisition processes and execution.