Meaning of Horizontal Merger
A horizontal merger involves a merger between two or more businesses that offer similar products or services and work in the same industry. In this merger, one entity buys another entity that is its competitor to form a new combined entity. Such a merger is done with the intent to gain higher synergies and capture greater market share.
Horizontal Merger Economics Definition
As per the economic definition on MBDA.Gov, “Horizontal merger is a business consolidation that occurs between firms who operate in the same space, often as competitors offering the same good or service.” There are many types of mergers.
Why Horizontal Merger?
Businesses opt for such mergers due to the growing competition. When two or more entities in the same line of business merge, they bring economies of scale by reducing the business’s overall costs. The horizontal merger enables the new entity to offer a wide range of products and services to its customers in the most efficient way. It allows them to diversify their business, enter new potential markets, and cover a bigger market share. The business also gets access to more number of resources than it had before the merger. There are many other benefits of mergers.
Horizontal Merger Example
Let us take a hypothetical example to understand the concept. If Pepsi and Coca-Cola merge, it would be termed as a horizontal merger. Both the companies produce a similar type of product and cater to the same customer group. As a result of the merger, both companies will be able to function more efficiently. And cut down on the common costs, bringing economies of scale. The merger between HP and Compaq is a real-life example of it.
Also Read: Vertical Merger
Horizontal vs. Vertical Merger
Horizontal merger and vertical merger are two different concepts altogether. A horizontal merger is the merger of two or more businesses in the same industry that produces similar goods or services. On the other hand, a vertical merger is the merging of two or more businesses that produce different goods or services. The vertical merger takes place among firms that operate in the same industry but at different levels of the supply chain.
Read more at Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration.
Horizontal vs. Joint Venture
A joint venture is a business arrangement between two or more businesses to achieve a specific task. Once the task is accomplished, the joint venture ceases to exist. On the other hand, a horizontal merger consists of a merger of two or more companies in the same industry, producing similar goods or services. It aims to reduce the competition in the marketplace by creating a monopoly for the business.
Conclusion
Businesses are facing tough times due to ever-growing competition. Their synergy costs are increasing, and margins are declining. A horizontal merger is a solution for the business to overcome this problem. When two entities in the same industry that is producing similar goods or services merge together, it brings efficiency in operations and a decline in costs.
