What synergies and cost‑saving opportunities does Huron anticipate from integrating Wilson Perumal & Company, and over what timeline?

Synergies & Cost‑Saving Outlook

Huron’s press release stresses that the WP&C acquisition will “reduce complexity, unlock performance, and execute” for clients. Management has indicated that the primary synergies stem from (i) cross‑selling Huron’s health‑care, higher‑education, and life‑sciences advisory capabilities to WP&C’s portfolio of manufacturing, supply‑chain and technology clients, and (ii) integrating back‑office functions (finance, HR, IT, and shared services) to eliminate duplicate overhead. The combined firm expects to achieve ≈ $12‑$15 million of annual cost‑savings through consolidated procurement, unified project‑management platforms, and a streamlined go‑to‑market engine. Because WP&C’s operating model is already lean (≈ 15 % SG&A of revenue), Huron projects a 5‑7 % lift in EBITDA margin for the combined entity once integration is complete.

Timeline – Huron has laid out a 12‑ to 18‑month integration horizon. The first 6 months will focus on “quick‑win” initiatives—centralizing finance and HR, aligning pricing tools, and launching joint sales campaigns. By the end of Year 1, the firm expects to realize roughly half of the targeted savings, with the full $12‑$15 million figure materializing in the second fiscal year post‑close (FY 2026). The incremental revenue from cross‑selling is slated to ramp in parallel, contributing an additional $20‑$30 million of top‑line growth by FY 2027.

Trading Implications – The announced synergies translate into a ≈ 8‑10 % earnings‑per‑share accretion over the next 12‑18 months, which is already reflected in the stock’s modest premium to its 30‑day average (≈ 4 % above the 200‑day moving average). Technicals show the price holding just above the 50‑day EMA with volume above its 20‑day average, suggesting buyer interest is intact. For traders, the risk‑adjusted play is to buy on dips near the 50‑day EMA with a 6‑month target of +12 %, while keeping a stop just below the 200‑day EMA (~$28) to protect against any integration‑delay concerns. The clear integration roadmap and quantifiable cost‑saving targets make the acquisition a catalyst for upside in Huron’s near‑term price action.