Merger and acquisition activity was hot in 2012. Some surveys maintained that M&A numbers fell off this year as global economic trends made buyers more cautious, but others say company consolidation was steady.
While there were numerous transactions involving small and midsize firms, the year also featured one deal that, if it is completed early next year, will become one of the largest ever in the industry: Woodlands, Texas-based CB&I is set to acquire The Shaw Group, Baton Rouge, in a $3.1-billion megadeal. It is set to expand the global reach of both players in the power and industrial markets.