The year started off with a bunch of acquisitions, and that’s a trend we’ve seen continue into the closing months of 2022. You could argue (probably correctly) that some of those buy outs and consolidations have come about due to recent disruption. Who could blame a business for looking for stability under the wing of a larger corporation?

Other acquisitions are made in the name of innovation, with big names swooping for bleeding edge technology. We’ve seen a few of those this year.

In August, Atlas Copco bought Montana Instruments Corporation, a firm specialising in cryostat solutions, where objects are cooled to very low temperatures to observe and characterise quantum physics in cold materials. Quantum technology is, Atlas Copco says, a market where commercial applications are starting to grow. Now you know! Then there is C4 Carbides, bought by heavyweight power tool group TTI (owner of Milwaukee and other household names). Carbide is a key material in the production of blades and cutters for power tools and C4 has made a name for itself in producing innovative cutting solutions.

While there are no guarantees whether these investments will pay off, stumping up large sums for new technology to get ahead of the competition will doubtless continue as businesses search for the next big thing.