PE-backed limousine and black car service company executing NYC Tri-State area roll-up acquisition strategy
A PE-backed limousine and black car service company had an aggressive NYC Tri-State roll-up strategy but faced a critical challenge: their first acquisition needed to be flawless. A botched integration would derail the entire roll-up thesis, spook investors, and damage the platform's ability to attract subsequent acquisition targets.
The company needed comprehensive M&A integration capabilities it didn't yet have: pre-acquisition due diligence frameworks, Day 1 operational continuity protocols, integration playbooks, technology migration plans, and synergy realization methodologies. With 26 weeks to execute the first acquisition, failure wasn't an option.
We developed a comprehensive M&A integration playbook designed for repeatable execution across multiple acquisitions. The 6-month engagement created frameworks spanning four phases: pre-acquisition (60-90 days) for operational and financial due diligence, Day 1 transition for zero-disruption service continuity, integration phase (180 days) for technology deployment and process harmonization, and ongoing optimization for sustained performance improvement.
The playbook addressed every integration dimension: operational continuity ensuring no customer disruption, technology platform consolidation with 90-day migration targets, cost synergy identification targeting 15-20% savings, talent retention protocols aiming for 90%+ employee retention, and cultural integration to blend acquired companies smoothly. Critically, the framework was designed for repeatability—the same playbook could accelerate each subsequent acquisition.
The integration framework enabled 160% 5-year CAGR through successful roll-up execution. The first acquisition achieved Day 1 operational continuity with zero service disruption, validating the playbook's effectiveness and building confidence for subsequent deals.
Beyond the immediate acquisition, the company gained replicable M&A capabilities that became a competitive advantage. The due diligence framework identified integration risks before deals closed, Day 1 protocols ensured smooth transitions, and the cost synergy methodology delivered 15-20% savings within 6 months of each acquisition. The technology migration playbook enabled 90-day platform consolidations. Most strategically, the repeatable framework allowed the company to accelerate acquisition velocity—each deal executed faster than the last as the playbook matured.
The engagement succeeded by designing for repeatability from day one. The comprehensive playbook covered every integration dimension, preventing critical gaps. The phased approach balanced speed with thoroughness—Day 1 continuity ensured no immediate disruption while 180-day integration delivered deeper value. Most critically, documenting everything created institutional knowledge that didn't depend on any individual, enabling the company to execute acquisitions even as team composition changed.