2018 M&A deals up 5% last year

In 2018, 268 M&A deals were recorded, an increase of 5 per cent from 2017, with total transaction values adding up to €10 billion.

Some of the highlights include the €2.4 billion transaction involving Goshawk Aviation and Sky Aviation Leasing.

The food and food services industries performed well, with Kerry Group announcing two large acquisitions in the US, totalling €325 million. The company reached agreement to buy Ariake USA and Southeastern Mills' North American coatings and seasonings business.

Glanbia, as well as Greencore's disposal of its North American division, also fed into this.

Star2Star Communications acquired Blueface in January for a reported value of €404 million, while the acquisition of Irish medical company Adapt Pharma by Emergent BioSolutions for a reported €585 million was a highlight throughout the year.

Apollo Global Management bought the 24-property hotel portfolio of Tifco Hotel Group for an estimated €500-600 million, while Total Produce's acquisition of 45 per cent of Dole was reported to cost $300 million.

Some other examples of the broad sectoral range of acquisitions include: Link's investment in Leveris; the acquisition of Compute Management Systems; ING's investment in Transfermate; the sale of Vornier Ltd, an incubator pharmaceutical company operating out of UCD; Greencoat Renewables on its taking stakes in Raheenleagha, Cloosh Valley wind and Sliabh Bawn wind farms; and the acquisition by Applegreen of a majority stake in Welcome Break.