Walk into any dealer conference and you'll hear the same refrain: "We can't find good people." Branch managers say it. Regional VPs say it. Even the CEO mentions it. It's true for technicians and parts counter staff. But when it comes to the GM who'll run your biggest branch or the service director who'll fix your aftersales profits, the "talent shortage" explanation doesn't hold...
Executive Summary In equipment and automation sales, the most important transactions entering Q2 2026 are not the ones that simply add factory capacity. They’re the ones that change who controls the customer before and after the equipment sale. In packaging, processing, food and beverage systems, pharma packaging, and industrial automation, the initial machine sale is only part...
Key Deal Themes Shaping Q2 2026 Manufacturing M&A Several patterns are emerging across manufacturing transactions announced in early 2026 and heading into Q2. Taken together, they point to a structural shift in how industrial companies are allocating capital. 1. Vertical integration into critical technologies Manufacturers are acquiring suppliers and component technologies (particularly semiconductors, specialty materials, and precision manufacturing capabilities) to...
Executive Summary Life sciences deal activity entering Q2 2026 is being driven by a narrower, more disciplined logic than the market saw in earlier biotech cycles. Strategic buyers are concentrating on assets that are close enough to approval, launch, or scaled clinical adoption that revenue visibility is real. This logic is...
Executive Summary Construction and heavy equipment deal activity entering Q2 of 2026 points to an industry reorganizing around scale, control, and predictability. Manufacturers are consolidating to absorb rising R&D costs tied to electrification and autonomy. Private equity is buying up smaller distribution and rental companies and combining them into larger groups. Because these markets...
Executive Summary U.S. banking M&A activity entering Q2 2026 reflects a clear shift from defensive consolidation toward strategic expansion. After several years of cautious dealmaking following the regional banking turmoil of 2023, banks are once again pursuing acquisitions to build scale, expand geographic reach, and diversify revenue streams. Several large transactions illustrate...
Executive Summary Accounting and finance deal activity entering Q2 2026 is about fixing structural problems that smaller firms cannot solve on their own. The clearest pattern is consolidation among CPA and advisory firms. Buyers are using acquisitions to solve succession issues, add scarce talent, build regional density, and push more work into higher-margin...
Manufacturing growth in the United States is no longer determined by how well a plant runs. The ceiling for many manufacturers is being set years earlier, often in capital planning meetings, site selection decisions, and technology roadmaps that never touch the shop floor. This shift has changed how manufacturing CEOs are evaluated. Strong...
Technical sales is evolving beyond a traditional quota-driven function. Buyers now research deeply before ever engaging a rep, and technology is reshaping not just how sales get done but who does it and with what skills. For technical sales managers, business leaders, and heads of sales teams, grasping the shifts underway isn’t optional. It determines competitiveness and...
Hiring the right leader at the right time can make or break a company. Yet many organizations struggle to find that perfect executive candidate, especially in a 2026 hiring landscape marked by talent shortages, tighter budgets, and fierce competition for strategic leadership. That’s where an executive search firm can be a game-changer. In this piece, we’ll break down exactly when you should consider hiring an...
Compared to a decade ago, the manufacturing industry has taken on a whole new look. Digital transformation, geopolitical complexity, and customer expectations have rewritten the playbook for operational leadership. If your organization wants to thrive, securing top talent through chief operating officer (COO) executive recruitment isn’t optional, it’s strategic insurance for your supply chain future. But here’s the nuance: today’s...
When your organization is ready to bring in top-level talent, especially leadership or other critical roles, the method you use to search can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll dive into retained vs contingency search; what each means, when they work best, and how to decide which fits your hiring needs. Whether you’re a growing firm scaling...
If you’ve been following business headlines recently, one thing is clear: M&A activity in the U.S. is alive and it’s accelerating, especially within the manufacturing sector. From strategic acquisitions by industrial giants to transformative mergers between leading producers of critical equipment, 2025 laid the groundwork for what could be the biggest year yet for U.S. manufacturing deals...
Banking mergers and acquisitions in the United States are entering a new phase of activity in 2026, driven by strategic growth plans, regulatory shifts, and continued industry consolidation. For banks in Virginia, whether community banks or regional players, 2026 is shaping up to be a year marked by major deals...
Hiring executives in 2026 can feel weirdly hard. There are still a lot of open jobs, but fewer people are confidently jumping to a new company. For example, the U.S. government’s JOLTS report for October 2025 showed 7.7 million job openings, about 5.1 million hires, and a 1.8% quits rate. These are signs that many workers (including...
If your organization is growing fast, chances are you’ve already felt the pressure of trying to hire the right leaders. The ones who can guide teams, build systems, scale operations, and turn strategy into actual results. And if you’ve ever posted a leadership role online (VP, Director, C-suite), you’ve likely noticed something: traditional recruiting doesn’t work at the executive level. That’s where executive search comes...
Have you ever wondered how manufacturing companies find leaders who are able to help elevate their company to the next level even in the midst of chaos? Today, manufacturing companies face intense pressure to innovate, digitize, and strengthen operational resilience, while attracting top talent in an increasingly competitive hiring market. To...
