Why Industrials Are the Hottest M&A Sector in 2025

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About The Episode

Episode 21 of the Dakota Research Podcast explores why Industrials are 2025’s most competitive and capital-rich sector. We break down the wave of mega-deals—from Home Depot’s $15B consolidation play to Apollo’s aerospace carve-outs—and what’s fueling the surge in M&A activity.

Industrials are being re-rated from cyclical to structural, driven by three major forces: reshoring and supply chain resilience, defense and aerospace spending, and infrastructure modernization. We explore how these trends are impacting valuations, with strategics paying 14×+ EBITDA for scale platforms, while private equity pivots to carve-outs, niche roll-ups, and automation-driven value creation.

We also spotlight high-growth subsectors like datacenter HVAC, robotics, and sustainable materials—areas attracting both corporate and sponsor capital at premium multiples. Plus, hear how the IPO window is reopening for defense-aligned platforms and what that means for exits.

If you're focused on industrial investing, private equity strategy, or corporate M&A, this episode is your briefing on where the capital—and opportunity—is headed.

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Why Industrials Are the Hottest M&A Sector in 2025

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