According to the recently released EY US M&A activity insights: April 2026, two things are clear.
- Corporate dealmaking accelerated significantly from February–April 2026.
- Recent M&A activity has focused on scaling and consolidating core business platforms to achieve significant cost synergies, operational efficiency, portfolio optimization, business resilience, long-term competitiveness
Ultimately, scale, integration, and streamlined operations are key drivers behind these transactions.
Apply these trends to the HR Workstream for Maximum Value Creation:
Harmonization of the HR workstream is the process of creating and capturing value by consolidating and optimizing HR/HCM/ benefit programs, vendors, systems, and processes. This initiative delivers the trending M&A goals outlined above:
- Significant Cost Synergies: by leveraging aggregate purchasing power across portfolio companies, our clients see $700 in PEPY of cost avoidance
- Operational Efficiency: harmonization streamlines HR operations, improves compliance and increases process synchronization
- Portfolio Optimization: reap all benefits of a growing portfolio while maintaining PortCo individuality and movement flexibility
- Business resilience and long-term competitiveness: by implementing HR harmonization strategies, forward looking sponsors increase margins, establish a solid foundation for future growth while supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
How Optimatum Can Help boost your VCP in 2026
As your Operating Partner of HR Operations®, Optimatum supports the entire harmonization process from opportunity valuation, vendor selection, implementation, day one readiness, post day one synergy capture and reporting.
Learn more about the process here.