Kürten (Germany) / Willebroek (Belgium), 3 June 2019 – AVS Verkehrssicherung (“AVS”), a Triton Fund IV company, has signed an agreement to acquire a majority share in Fero Group (“Fero”), a leading player in Belgium in temporary traffic management services, from the founding Haerens family. Fero Group consists of Fero Signalisatie and its affiliates Admibo, Signaroute, Signco and Safetybloc. The transaction is subject to approval of the antitrust authorities. Terms and conditions were not disclosed.
Fero was founded in 2001. The family-owned group provides services in the areas of temporary traffic management, road marking, traffic signs, traffic management systems and maintenance of public planters & baskets. Its customer base primarily comprises construction, utility and telecom companies as well as the Belgian government. Fero has more than 300 employees across seven locations in Flanders and one in Wallonia.
Triton has a strong expertise in the road safety services and further invested in companies in this area across Europe, such as Ramudden in the Nordics and Chevron TM in the UK, and now, with Fero, in Belgium.
“This transaction was strongly backed by Triton and underlines our commitment to invest into the future growth and profitable development of Fero. It is another important step to grow our international footprint in work zone safety services,” says Nadia Meier-Kirner, Investment Advisory Professional at Triton.
Luc Hendriks, Senior Industry Expert at Triton adds: “We are looking forward to support the management team and employees as a responsible owner with our comprehensive sector expertise and experience.”
“This transaction marks another significant step in our international expansion. Fero has built a strong reputation among its customers for its quick and highly professional services. This makes it a great partner and an ideal fit for our European strategy,” says Dirk Schönauer, COO International of AVS.
“We are looking forward to the partnership with AVS. Our companies share the same mindset and together we can offer even better services, tailored to the demand of our customers in Belgium,” add Freek & Friso Haerens, Co-CEOs of the Fero Group.
The existing shareholders of Fero will remain shareholders in the group and directors of Fero.
About AVS Verkehrssicherung
AVS Verkehrssicherung is a leading specialist provider of traffic safety services and work-zone management in Germany. The Company, headquartered in Kuerten, offers all essential services throughout highway traffic-safety projects. These services range from initial planning and obtaining permits to complete construction site setup and security. AVS has a nationwide presence with 17 locations across Germany as well as branches in Latvia and Denmark and employs around 650 people.
For further information: http://www.avs-verkehrssicherung.de
About Fero
Fero Group was established in 2001 and grew into a household name in the temporary traffic management world. The family business is a full-service provider for its customers, from tendering, planning, placing, maintenance to completion and settlement. Fero provides services to various customers in the government and construction outsourcing sector.
As a leading player in temporary traffic management, Fero has built up a strong reputation for always helping customers quickly and professionally.
For further information: https://www.feronv.be/; https://www.signco.be/; http://www.admibo.be/; http://www.signaroute.be/nl
About Triton
Since its establishment in 1997, Triton has sponsored nine funds, focusing on businesses in the industrial, business services, consumer and health sectors.
The Triton funds invest in and support the positive development of medium-sized businesses headquartered in Europe. Triton seeks to contribute to the building of better businesses for the longer term. Triton and its executives wish to be agents of positive change towards sustainable operational improvements and growth. The 38 companies currently in Triton’s portfolio have combined sales of around €14.9 billion and around 72,000 employees.
For further information: www.triton-partners.com
