M&A Podcasts: "Put Strategy Before Structure"

Tompkins Associates Advises Not to Make Acquisition Based on Face Value

Raleigh, NC, March 31, 2010 -- Strategy and speed are major factors in creating a successful merger or acquisition, according to a new Global Supply Chain Podcast series on M&A.

"You can't judge an M&A opportunity by its cover," says Jim Tompkins, CEO of Tompkins Associates and host of the Global Supply Chain Podcast. "An opportunity may look good on the surface, but turn out to be a terrible failure if the organizations are not a good fit for each other. The best way to ensure a successful merger or acquisition is by having a good M&A strategy -- especially a good M&A supply chain strategy."

In a recent episode, Tompkins notes the "Four Keys to Success with M&A:"

1. Be involved.

2. Fully assess the impact of changes on the supply chain.

3. Determine which technologies will be retained and integrated.

4. Move forward with speed and urgency.

The focus should be on the entire organization working as one from day one, he advises. And with the positive momentum moving forward from day one, the endeavor will be a winner.

Episodes of the M&A series are already available on the Global Supply Chain Podcast. The full series includes the following topics:

• Four Keys to Success with Mergers and Acquisitions
• Creating Mergers and Acquisitions that Work and Meet Expectations
• Supply Chain Due Diligence
• Making the Right Deal Happen: Lessons Learned to Lay the Foundation for M&A Success
• Supply Chain Integration

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About Tompkins Associates
Tompkins Associates transforms supply chains for profitable growth. For more than 35 years, Tompkins has evolved with the marketplace to become the leading provider of growth and business strategy, global supply chain services, distribution operations consulting, information technology implementation, material handling integration, and benchmarking and best practices. The company is known for innovative, practical solutions that improve supply chain performance and produce value-based results. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Tompkins has offices throughout North America and in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.tompkinsinc.com.