Despite worries about de-facto monopolies being created from mega-mergers between companies, the reality is that both good and bad things come from massive businesses combining their assets. The 2010s were especially ripe for business mergers, with many companies finding ways to help boost the economy and revolutionize their particular industries. In fact, some of the largest company mergers of all time happened in the 2010s. To help understand the way the business landscape transformed between 2010 and 2020, here are the 5 largest company mergers of the 2010s:

5. Heinz & Kraft

On July 2, 2015, the fifth-largest company merger of the 2010s occurred, when Heinz acquired Kraft. Both food companies manufacture thousands upon thousands of food products that are enjoyed not only in the U.S., but around the world. With their merger, these products became even more widespread, and the competition between the two companies cooled in a way that massively benefited their longtime customers. 

The massive merger was arranged by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a Brazilian private equity and Investment firm, and the 3G Capital company. The merger was notoriously messy but has since been seen as a major success. With newly expansive assets at the mega-company’s disposal, they are certain to boost both their productivity and income. 

4. Anheuser-Busch & SABMiller

On October 10th, 2016, Anheuser-Busch and SABMiller combined to make two hyper-recognizable companies that much more infamous. The Anheuser-Busch company is especially notable, as perhaps the most well-known alcoholic beverage company in the world. Budweiser, the company’s star child, has come to be known as one of the beeriest beers to ever be brewed (and sports some of the most memorable advertising campaigns and advertising mascots of all time).

For $107 billion, SABMiller (of Miller Lite fame) was acquired by Anheuser-Busch, making the two largest beer companies in the world one. The two companies were notorious rivals in the alcoholic beverage industry and held a rivalry that was comparable to that of Coke and Pepsi, so this merger came as a huge surprise. This merger was fairly controversial, but after the Department of Justice finally approved the merger, history was made – and both companies’ capabilities were made tenfold. 

3. United Technologies & Raytheon

On April 3rd, 2020, the final massive merger of the 2010s was born (although some might see 2020 as a cutting-off point, it should still be included on the list since the merger was in the process before this final date). United Technologies, a major American multinational conglomerate that researched and developed aircraft and other aerospace technology acquired the notorious U.S. defense contractor Raytheon. For those with stocks in military technologies and airlines, this merger proved fruitful.

The merger came about to help solidify the two separate companies to develop technologies in their two key wheelhouses, which are notorious for being intertwined anyways. With this $121 billion merger, the company officially became Raytheon Technologies, and this remains one of the largest business mergers of history as we enter 2022. 

2. Dow Chemical & DuPont

On August 31st, 2017, Dow Chemical merged with the notorious DuPont company. These two major giants in manufacturing and chemical production created a merger that shook the world to its core – creating DowDuPont. With DuPont being founded way, way back in 1802, this proves to be one of the most surprising and longest-brewing mergers on this list. 

The merger was born out of a desire of the two companies’ major shareholders wanting to consolidate, and it made this merger one of the smoother happenings on this list. For a whopping $130 billion, the two companies combined into one of the- Here Are The Players That Will Emerge At The Top Of The Market most powerful forces in the business world, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. 

1. Verizon Communications & Vodafone Group

On February 21, 2015, the largest merger of the 2010s occurred, changing the landscape of the communications industry for the foreseeable future (and we’re still feeling the effects of this merger today). Verizon Communications, one of the largest multinational telecommunication conglomerates in the world, and Vodafone, the British telecommunications company, combined to create a true goliath of a corporation. 

How much did it take for this major combo to be born? $130 billion (and a bit more change that pushes this merger further up the list than the Dow Chemical & DuPont major). The amount of cash it takes to make that happen will make any serious business person blush. Hopefully, the merger will help create major improvements in the industry, and will not become a notorious example of mergers leading to stagnation for a major industry. 

What Mergers Will Come to Define the 2020s? 

Major mergers have not stopped since the 2010s. With endless telecommunication and food manufacturer companies (in particular) continuing to find beneficial ways to combine their business assets, these mega-mergers show no signs of stopping. Business-savvy folk will have a lot to look forward to in terms of future mega-mergers.