SAN FRANCISCO – Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology businesses, today announced the completion of the all-cash acquisition of Blancco Technology Group (“Blancco” or the “Company”) for 223 pence per share, representing an equity valuation of approximately £175 million. As a result of the completion of the transaction, Blancco has ceased trading and is no longer listed on the London stock market.

With over 2,500 customers served across 70 countries, Blancco is a market leader in secure data erasure and mobile lifecycle solutions. The Company’s products allow organizations to protect end-of-life data against unauthorized access, safely redeploy data storage assets, and firmly comply with increased data protection and privacy requirements.

“Since its founding 26 years ago, Blancco has created and delivered innovative solutions, with a focus on building a world class data eraser and diagnostic software platform,” said Matt Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Blancco. “We are pleased to partner with Francisco Partners, who are committed to continuing to build upon the company’s strong foundation and achieve its full potential. I want to thank each employee for their dedication to Blancco and contributing to our continued success.”

“We have been very impressed with the leading market position that Blancco has established through its best-in-class solutions and are thrilled to partner with Blancco’s management team to drive the next phase of expansion,” said Brian Decker, Partner at Francisco Partners, and Karl Shum, Principal at Francisco Partners. “Sustainability and e-waste reduction are increasing strategic priorities for customers of all sizes globally, and we see tremendous organic and inorganic growth opportunities for Blancco worldwide,” added Ravi Bhatt, Vice President at Francisco Partners.

Rothschild & Co served as financial adviser and Travers Smith LLP acted as legal adviser to Blancco. Canaccord Genuity served as financial adviser and Ropes & Gray International LLP acted as legal adviser to Francisco Partners.

About Blancco Technology Group

Blancco Technology Group provides organizations with secure, compliant, and automated solutions that accelerate the transition to the circular economy. Each year, tens of millions of Blancco erasures allow top-tier organizations to protect end-of-life data against unauthorized access, safely redeploy data storage assets, and firmly comply with increased data protection and privacy requirements. Our precise device diagnostics help move used IT assets confidently into the circular economy, enabling enterprises, IT asset disposition (ITAD) vendors and recyclers, and mobile industry stakeholders to operate more sustainably.

Globally approved, recommended and certified by governing and industry bodies around the world, Blancco is the industry standard in data erasure and mobile diagnostics. With 35+ patented or patent-pending ideas, we continue to grow the number of innovative solutions global companies can rely on to accelerate operations, secure their data, and grow their businesses. Read more about us at www.blancco.com.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch nearly 25 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 400 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With approximately $45 billion in capital raised to date, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com.

Media Contacts

Francisco Partners
Whit Clay / Sarah Braunstein
wclay@sloanepr.com / sbraunstein@sloanepr.com

Zurich – Waterland Private Equity (“Waterland”) is selling its majority stake in Netrics, Switzerland’s leading modern workplace and cloud service provider, to Bregal Unternehmerkapital. The strategic focus on digitizing companies using state-of-the-art technologies will continue under the new ownership structure. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year; financial details will not be disclosed.

Over the past years, Waterland has supported Netrics in its strategic orientation to become the leading partner for the digitalization of companies using cloud and modern workplace technologies. In collaboration with the founders, Waterland initiated the merger of Tineo, nexellent and Netrics as well as the subsequent buy-and-build strategy with the acquisitions of BlueStone Consulting and PageUp. Today, Netrics is a leading player in the Swiss market with over 140 experts and more than 600 customers. The management team will continue to build on this strategy in the new ownership structure and drive it further.

“Waterland was the best possible partner for our strategic realignment,” emphasizes Netrics CEO Pascal Kocher. “Now it’s ‘mission accomplished‘. We are continuing to drive the Group and our strategy forward and want to consistently implement our further development as a leading partner for digital transformation, always at eye-level with our customers.”

Gregor Hengst, Managing Partner at Waterland, says: “Every business is becoming a digital business, and complexity is constantly increasing. This calls for highly professional enablers like Netrics, with whose founders and management team we have developed this shared vision from the beginning. Today, Netrics is ideally positioned to exploit the huge potential in the digital transformation market.” Philippe Moser, Principal at Waterland, emphasizes: “Thanks to the excellent collaboration with the entrepreneurs and the determined implementation of the buy-and-build strategy in the joint partnership, we were able to establish the leading player in the Swiss market.”

About Waterland

Waterland is an independent private equity investment company that supports entrepreneurs in achieving their growth targets. With substantial financial support and industry expertise, Waterland enables its portfolio companies to accelerate growth both organically and through acquisitions. Waterland has offices in the Netherlands (Bussum), Belgium (Antwerp), France (Paris), Germany (Hamburg, Munich), Poland (Warsaw), the UK (London, Manchester), Ireland (Dublin), Denmark (Copenhagen), Norway (Oslo), Spain (Barcelona) and Switzerland (Zurich). It currently manages around fourteen billion euros in equity capital.

Waterland has consistently achieved above-average performance with its investments since it was founded in 1999. The company is ranked fourth globally in the HEC/Dow Jones Private Equity Performance Ranking 2022 and seventh among global private equity firms in the Preqin Consistent Performers in Global Private Equity & Venture Capital Report 2022.

Media contact

Kurt Rossi, Farner Consulting, kurt.rossi@farner.ch

About Netrics:

As a partner for digital transformation, Netrics focuses on the topics of cloud and modern workplace. Netrics enables modern, location-independent and secure working through the targeted use of future-oriented technologies and with consideration of the human aspects, thus creating great experiences for employees and customers. The Netrics Group is active throughout German-speaking Switzerland with around 140 experts and a local presence in Bern, Biel/Bienne, Thun and Zurich. Since December 2022, the Netrics Group has also been offering comprehensive consulting services in the areas of collaboration, process digitalization, digital skills development and change management with AliceBlue AG from Basel.

Netrics is ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001 and ISO 20000 certified. In addition, Netrics services are audited in accordance with the ISAE 3402 Type 2 standard.

Ardian’s investment will support Verne Global’s management team to deliver an ambitious and sustainable expansion plan across the Nordics
• Ardian will commit significant capital to grow the Verne Global platform while allowing its management team to leverage Ardian’s strong renewables know-how
• Ardian demonstrated again its strong expertise in digital infrastructure with investments across the value chain

ARVOO Imaging Products (hereafter ARVOO) has brought in Capital A as its new majority shareholder and sponsor for the company’s next growth phase. This new partnership establishes a solid financial foundation with the aim of further expanding as a global player in image processing technology. In this phase, the current management, consisting of Fons Grijpink (CEO) and founder René Voorwinden (CTO), who are also shareholders, will continue to lead the daily operations.

ARVOO is a developer in the field of complex digital image processing through the use of artificial intelligence and develops both the hardware and software in-house. This image processing technology is used for various applications, including ARVOO’s developed camera system, ScanGenius. ScanGenius is a leading and globally used camera system with accompanying software, used by local municipalities and government authorities for digital parking enforcement. With ScanGenius, ARVOO is the undisputed market leader in this industry in the Netherlands.

Furthermore, ARVOO develops ANPR cameras and associated software that can be used for various applications, such as access control, detecting illegal and dangerous traffic situations, enforcement at the boundaries of low emission zones, as well as within the agricultural sector.

“In recent years, we have worked hard to transform ARVOO from an innovative project organization into a focused product organization,” says Fons Grijpink, CEO and co-shareholder of ARVOO. “Today, we are proud to announce that, along with investor Capital A, we will continue to build the future of ARVOO. Our new partner will support us in the process of further globalization and expanding our business, a path we have already embarked on in recent years. This step makes us more agile and grants us access to a strong network of professionals who assist companies in building and growing.”

“It’s wonderful to see the international demand for ARVOO’s innovative products and services that deliver significant value in various sectors. Together, we look forward to further expanding ARVOO’s success into new cities and countries, while also exploring the applicability of the underlying image processing technology in new sectors. We aim to accelerate autonomous growth where it makes sense with a selective buy-and-build strategy,” says Lars Valkenburg, Investment Manager at Capital A.

The daily management of ARVOO remains with Fons Grijpink (CEO) and René Voorwinden (CTO), while Capital A will play an advisory and supportive role. ARVOO is built on a strong and unique DNA that will be maximized to realize its (international) growth ambitions. With the arrival of Capital A, the continuity and stability of ARVOO are ensured.

ABN AMRO has assisted the shareholders of ARVOO as a financial advisor in the search for a suitable partner.

About ARVOO

ARVOO was founded in 1993 as an engineering firm specializing in automatic image and signal processing by computers. Over time, the company has further evolved, including the integration of artificial intelligence. This thirty years of experience and passion for image processing technology make ARVOO a unique company within the industry. ARVOO has a team of innovative hardware and software developers who continuously collaborate on new applications and products. Market demand guides their development efforts, ensuring that the team aligns with the needs of the market. Since ARVOO develops both the hardware and software in-house, the lines of communication are short, enabling rapid response to customer preferences and requirements.

Semcon announces the successful spinoff of its Product Information business area, marking the official launch of new and stand-alone company Aleido. This strategic step has been taken to strengthen both businesses and to continue growing their offers, dedicated teams, and profitability.

The Product Information business area, with its 850 employees in five countries, is known for its expertise in creating user-friendly digital aftermarket solutions for complex products. As a global leader, it serves customers such as Volvo Cars, Tetra Pak, Alstom, AGCO, Jaguar Land Rover and Epiroc.

“At Ratos we are strong believers of a decentralised model and are convinced that it drives entrepreneurial spirit, growth and efficiencies. This move ensures that each company can follow its own independent growth journey and realise its true potential,” says Anders Slettengren, Chairman of the Board of Semcon and Aleido and Executive Vice President at Ratos.

Leaders in aftermarket information
Aleido specialises in both aftermarket information and learning solutions. Within aftermarket information, the company can draw on decades of experience and today support customers in five different markets. And thanks to recent acquisitions within learning, Aleido is the largest digital learning company in Scandinavia. Guided by its mission, ‘to make the advanced simply understood’, Aleido provides knowledge that bridges the gap between technology and people.

“This is a significant milestone, and we can proudly announce that the former Semcon business area, Product Information, is now a stand-alone company: Aleido. As we embark on this new journey, we’re eager to embrace the opportunities ahead with even more focus and dedication,” says Johan Ekener, CEO of Aleido.

A strategic technology partner
Semcon has more than 40 years of experience of product, production and service development. Going forward, it will pursue its strong position as an international technology partner for companies and organisations in transformation. With a unique offering combining engineering, digital excellence and sustainability know-how, Semcon’s experts and cross-functional teams makes its customers more competitive and improve the user experience and sustainability of their solutions.

“Every day, our experts add new perspectives that help create solutions that make a difference to people and the planet. With a more focused operation, we are now accelerating our combined offering to provide even greater customer value,” says Markus Granlund, CEO of Semcon.

For more information, please contact:
Josefine Uppling, VP Communication, Ratos, +46 76 114 54 21
Lena Söderholm, Chief Communication Officer, Aleido, +46 706 121 346
Kristina Ekeblad, Head of Communication and Marketing, Semcon,+46 704 130 926

About Ratos
Ratos is a business group consisting of 17 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer and Industry. The companies have approximately SEK 33 billion in net sales (LTM). Our business concept is to own and develop companies that are or can become market leaders. We have a distinct corporate culture and strategy – everything we do is based on our core values: Simplicity, Speed in execution and It’s All About People. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas.

Business transformation and IT service provider Conclusion has reached an agreement with the investment company Novabase to acquire the leading Portuguese organization Neotalent, a specialist in recruiting and deploying IT talent. The organization currently employs over 800 experienced specialists in high-demand technology areas such as software development, data analysis, cloud services and engineering. Neotalent has been steadily growing in recent years and provides nearshore and onshore solutions to renowned companies in Portugal and Spain. As part of Conclusion, Neotalent is ideally positioned to strengthen Dutch customer teams, enabling them to meet the high demand for qualified multidisciplinary teams. The acquisition of Neotalent will take place in the coming months, subject to the verification of certain customary conditions typically associated with similar transactions, including the approval of the Portuguese competition authority.

Engbert Verkoren, CEO of Conclusion, says, “Welcoming Neotalent is a significant step for Conclusion. With this addition to our ecosystem, we attain the necessary capacity to provide effective nearshore services as an integral part of our overall service, addressing the business and IT challenges of our clients. Compared to Portuguese competitors, Neotalent has proven to be very successful in finding the right people in the tight Portuguese labor market. Furthermore, Neotalent’s management is capable of forming long-term relationships with both employees and customers by investing in talent development and promoting a culture centered around responsibility and collaboration. We support the further development of Neotalent into a full-service IT provider, both in Portugal and Spain and beyond.”

Álvaro José Ferreira, a member of Novabase’s Board of Directors, states, “This agreement accelerates Novabase’s growth strategy by dedicating all our resources and energy to the international expansion of the NextGen business, particularly in the area of cognitive and analytics. At the same time, we believe that Neotalent, through integration into Conclusion’s ecosystem, can continue to operate autonomously while maintaining its identity. By combining this with the highly qualified management team and the group of skilled professionals, Neotalent can propel its further development as a best-in-class nearshore player.”

Célia Vieira, director of Neotalent, regarding the acquisition, says, “This is an important moment for Neotalent. By being part of an international player like Conclusion, we can enter new markets and take on new business challenges, leveraging the extensive and high-quality services and solutions portfolio of the group. We see a great opportunity to combine our growth ambition with Conclusion’s ambition to establish a strong nearshore capacity. This also aligns with our mission to become a European reference player in our sector. We are pleased to join the Conclusion’s ecosystem. This offers growth opportunities for all of us and enhances the business appeal of our company.”

About Neotalent

Neotalent has 25 years of experience in delivering and managing IT talent services to meet the business needs of companies in various sectors and markets. Currently, more than 800 specialized professionals work at Neotalent. With offices in Portugal and Spain, Neotalent is a leading IT & Engineering service partner that combines the best technical expertise with an agile way of thinking to strengthen businesses and make organizations successful.

Amsterdam, 18 September 203 –Emixa, the leading SAP/Siemens/Mendix technology partner, is investing in LMtec Digital Solutions, with support from its majority shareholder Holland Capital. With this partnership, Emixa expands its presence into the DACH region and further enhances its product and service offerings, accelerating the digital transformation of its international Industry 4.0 clients.

LMtec Digital Solutions is a leading partner of Siemens Digital Industries Software with offices in Germany and Switzerland, specialized in providing PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, including maintenance, technical support, and consultancy. This partnership contributes to their vision of playing a significant role in the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, also known as ‘Industry 4.0’, through technologies such as Siemens, SAP, and Mendix. Furthermore, this collaboration offers its employees opportunities for international development within the wide range of services, technologies, and countries where the group operates.

Growth through buy-and-build

The acquisition of LMtec Digital Solutions is the next step in the buy-and-build strategy, executed with the support of Holland Capital. Including LMtec, Emixa now employs over 520 professionals, focusing on product lifecycle and asset management, IT architecture, low-code applications, system integrations, and process optimization, primarily targeting the manufacturing industry. The group aspires to become the leading player in Western Europe and has now expanded its operations to the DACH region, in addition to the Benelux and the United Kingdom.

Peter-Jan Simons, CEO of Emixa, commented, “LMtec is a strategic addition to our group, bringing high-level expertise in digital transformation to the modern industry. I am very excited about this addition, as together with LMtec, we can now better serve our customers in the DACH, UK, and Benelux regions within the technology triangle of SAP-Siemens-Mendix. Additionally, our consultants will have more international career opportunities. LMtec’s Siemens PLM expertise will boost our Siemens activities in Europe and elevate our partnership with Siemens to a higher level.”

Peter Wassmer, Managing Partner of LMtec Digital Solutions, stated, “Siemens recognizes Emixa as a leading specialist capable of delivering solutions based on SAP/Siemens/Mendix technology. Joining forces with Emixa is the perfect combination to realize our existing vision: to act as a trusted digital coach for our clients in addressing their digital thread for product and production.”

Ewout Prins, Managing Partner of Holland Capital, added, “The acquisition of LMtec is the next significant step in Emixa’s buy-and-build strategy. In addition to the Benelux and the UK, the group is now strongly represented in the DACH region. We are proud that our teams in Düsseldorf and Amsterdam have contributed to this acquisition.”

About LMtec Digital Solutions

LMtec, founded in 2014, provides digital transformation consultancy, architecture, and implementation of PLM solutions, licenses, and IT services across all industrial sectors. With a team of more than 70 experts in Central Europe, its mission is to enable valued customers to innovate and bring better products and services to the market more quickly. They achieve leading innovation through in-depth industry knowledge, PLM best practices, unique processes, and technological skills. LMtec is a Smart Expert Partner of Siemens Digital Industries Software, SAP and Mendix in the DACH region.

About Emixa

Emixa offers its clients innovative, high-quality, full-service solutions in the field of digital transformation, with a special emphasis on the manufacturing industry, also known as ‘Industry 4.0,’ using Siemens (PLM), SAP (ERP), Mendix (Low Code Applications), and other leading technologies. The group operates in the Benelux, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland. The foundation for Emixa was established in 2022 when the companies Appronto, cards PLM Solutions, Dimensys, Magnus, and OnePLM joined forces with the support of Holland Capital.

About Holland Capital

For the past 40 years, Holland Capital has responsibly and successfully invested in more than 180 Dutch SMEs. With a clear investment strategy, they are active in the attractive growth markets of Healthcare, Technology, and Food & Agri. Their experienced and committed investment team understands entrepreneurship. They aim for an open, sustainable, and professional relationship with the management teams of the companies they invest in, with the common goal of achieving growth. Holland Capital is supported by a broad network of successful entrepreneurs in Healthcare, Technology and Food & Agri. Holland Capital has offices in Amsterdam and Düsseldorf. The acquisition of LMtec represents Holland Capital’s first acquisition in Germany.