Litman Gregory, a nationally recognized US wealth and asset management firm, joins the iM Global Partner’s network

ik-investment-partners

Paris, Walnut Creek (CA), March 9, 2021, iM Global Partner today announced that it has  entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Litman Gregory, a nationally recognized  wealth and asset management boutique managing $4 billion in assets under management  and overseeing $2.2 billion of assets under advisory*.

Litman Gregory, founded by Ken Gregory and Craig Litman in 1987 and based in the San  Francisco Bay Area, is a privately-owned company, and a pioneer in providing independent  asset management services to investors. For over three decades, Litman Gregory has focused  on providing in-depth investment research and personalized wealth management to  individuals and multigenerational families to help them achieve their financial goals. The  company also supports nonprofit organizations by serving as their fiduciary partner and  outsourced chief investment officer. Since 1996, Litman Gregory has developed a broad  range of US mutual funds.

In just a few years iM Global Partner has become a premier global asset management  network. The addition of Litman Gregory in the U.S., once completed, is expected to bring  assets under management of the group to over $24 billion (from $20 billion as at end of  December 2020) and will enhance distribution capabilities in the U.S. It further demonstrates  iM Global Partner’s commitment to continued cross-border growth in serving the needs of  sophisticated investors.

Combining Litman Gregory’s capabilities with iM Global Partner creates a uniquely powerful  set of high-quality investment solutions to serve both institutional and private clients in the  U.S. and internationally. Building upon common values and strengths, which are focused on  commitment to investment excellence, innovation and client service, the group will be able  to further enhance service to clients for years to come.

iM Global Partner plans to operate Litman Gregory Wealth Management as a separate  business unit to preserve the strong recognition, independence and expertise that it has built  over many decades with its cross-generational clients.

Steve Savage, CEO of Litman Gregory, said: “We are excited to become a part of iM Global  Partner as it improves our ability to deliver on our mission to excel for our clients. iM Global  Partner brings complementary global research resources and strong alignment on total client  focus. The combination of our organizations is a natural fit because of our shared research  DNA, commitment to independent thinking, integrity and total client focus.”

Philippe Couvrecelle, CEO and founder of iM Global Partner, declares: “Litman Gregory  becoming a part of our group is a major step forward as we continue our U.S. expansion.  This strategic operation allows us to add Wealth Management as a new key activity for iM  Global Partner. Our clients will benefit from the synergies that result when like-minded  organizations leverage their talents and resources to enhance the client experience.”

Jeffrey Seeley, Deputy CEO at iM Global Partner US adds: “We are thrilled to work with our  Litman Gregory colleagues moving forward and see tremendous opportunities for the  continued development of long-term investment solutions to serve various clients in the U.S.  and internationally.”

This operation is subject to the approval of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)  and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

About iM Global Partner

iM Global Partner is a worldwide asset management network dedicated to asset management. It selects and builds long-term partnerships with talented and independent asset management companies through direct capital ownership.

iM Global Partner is present in 11 locations across Europe and the United States and provides its clients with access to the best management strategies of its Partners. iM Global Partner’s wide range of investment solutions thus includes the OYSTER range, a Luxembourg SICAV, but also Mutual Funds and ETFs dedicated to US investors.

iM Global Partner represents over 19 billion USD of assets under management as at December 2020.

www.imgp.com

About Litman Gregory 

Founded in 1987, Litman Gregory is a nationally recognized wealth management firm based  in the San Francisco Bay Area. Litman Gregory Asset Management provides high-touch wealth  and asset management services to individuals, multigenerational families, and nonprofits.  Litman Gregory advises the PartnerSelect Funds, provides investment strategy  implementation to third-party platforms through Litman Gregory Portfolio Strategies, and  offers portfolio guidance and investment research to professional investment advisors  through Litman Gregory AdvisorIntelligence. The firm oversees $6.2* billion in investment  assets. litmangregory.com 

*The Litman Gregory companies that manage assets include Litman Gregory Asset  Management, LLC and Litman Gregory Fund Advisors, LLC. Data are as at end December  2020.

Berkshire Global Advisors and Seward & Kissel served respectively as financial and legal  advisors to iM Global Partner.

Asset & Wealth Management Investment Banking Group of Raymond James and WilmerHale  served respectively as financial and legal advisors to Litman Gregory.

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Questel signs the acquisition of NovumIP, supported by Eurazeo Capital, IK Investment Partners, and RAISE Investissement

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Questel, a global IP software and tech-enabled services leader offering an integrated end-to-end platform of software and services across the innovation lifecycle, has announced today the signing of the acquisition of NovumIP, a global intellectual property (IP) technology group comprised of PAVIS and Novagraaf, two European leaders, active in patents annuities and trademarks renewals.

The acquisition will enhance Questel’s presence in the IP value chain through a comprehensive offering delivering a full set of solutions for its global customers and also fully reflects Questel’s ambition to continuously enhance its value proposition for such customers. Integrating patent annuities with Questel’s existing range of solutions, notably its intellectual asset management platform, will be a step-change for customers seeking one convenient location to manage all of their IP activities.

Eurazeo Capital, IK Investment Partners and RAISE Investissement will invest to finance the acquisition of NovumIP. Following the transaction, Eurazeo and the IK IX Fund will each invest an incremental amount of approximately €150 million and together will continue to hold a majority stake in Questel, while Paragon Fund III, an affiliate of NovumIP’s majority shareholder, will invest and become a financial investor of Questel.

Definitive financial information will be disclosed once the transaction is completed. The completion of the transaction is subject to the definitive approval of the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as well as the Competition Authorities.

This acquisition demonstrates the commitment of Eurazeo Capital, IK Investment Partners and RAISE Investissement to support the Questel management team as it continues to pursue its expansion strategy into the IP management value chain. This strategy is supported by strong organic growth and a dynamic acquisition strategy that has helped in the past and should prove paramount in allowing  Questel to continue extending its geographic footprint in the future, whilst also providing a differentiated end-to-end set of solutions for its clients.

The NovumIP transaction follows the recent acquisitions by Questel of innosabi, an innovation SaaS company based in Germany, and doeLEGAL, a US software business active in enterprise legal management. These acquisitions represent a great milestone in the Questel journey.

For further questions, please contact:

Eurazeo
Pierre Bernardin
Head of Investor Relations
pbernardin@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76

Virginie Christnacht
Head of Communications
vchristnacht@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 15 76 44

IK Investment Partners
France:
CTCom
Sibylle Descamps
sibylle.descamps@ct-com.com
Tel: +33 (0) 6 82 09 70 07

International:
Maitland/AMO
James McFarlane
jmcfarlane@maitland.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 7584 142 665

RAISE Investissement
Charlotte Doyen
charlotte.doyen@raise.com
Tel: +33 674791846

About Eurazeo
Eurazeo is a leading global investment company, with a diversified portfolio of €18.8 billion in assets under management, including nearly €13.3 billion from third parties, invested in over 430 companies. With its considerable private equity, venture capital, real estate, and private debt, Eurazeo accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its nearly 300 professionals and by offering deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, London, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid. Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris. ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA

About IK Investment Partners
IK Investment Partners (“IK”) is a Pan-European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €13 billion of capital and invested in over 145 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, please visit www.ikinvest.com

About RAISE Investissement
RAISE Investissement is a capital investment company set up by the RAISE group, founded by Clara Gaymard and Gonzague de Blignières. With €410 million of committed capital, the fund supports high growth medium-sized French companies that generate revenue of between €30 million and €500 million, by investing stakes of between €10 million and €50 million to help them grow. The RAISE group is built around a financing model that combines profitability with generosity as the investment teams (RAISE Investissement, RAISE REIM, RAISE Ventures, RAISE Impact and RAISE LAB) donate 50% of their earnings through the group profit sharing scheme to an internal endowment fund, RAISESHERPAS, which supports startups and helps them grow. This initiative, pioneering in France, creates a virtuous circle involving major corporations, institutional investors, medium-sized businesses and startups. For more information, visit www.raise.co/en/

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Abacai announces acquisition of Dayinsure

CVC Capital Partners

Abacai Group (“Abacai or “the Group”), the insurtech recently formed by Mark Wilson and Sun Capital Partners today announces the acquisition of Dayinsure to complement its existing insurance businesses.

Founded in 2005, Dayinsure has grown consistently to become a leading provider of temporary motor insurance cover in the UK for car, van, motorhome and business drivers and has strengths in IT and data analytics.

CVC Credit, the dedicated credit arm of leading international private equity and advisory firm CVC Capital Partners, has become a strategic partner of Abacai: providing a combination of equity and debt financing for the acquisition and the Group’s future development.

Abacai will retain Dayinsure as a standalone go-to-market business, and the management team will continue to lead the separate subsidiary. Abacai will continue to focus on serving the insurtech underwriting market through Abacai Capital.

Mark Wilson, CEO and Co-Chairman of Abacai, commented: “Temporary motor insurance is a high growth segment at the core of the sharing economy. M&A is one of the two pillars of our growth strategy and we are excited to have completed this transaction so soon after we created Abacai.”

Barry Bown, CEO of Dayinsure, commented: “We are delighted to become part of Abacai. The customer focussed business model, is a good fit with our own. Teaming up will allow us to grow our footprint and accelerate our development.”

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Nordic Capital and Boost.ai announce partnership to accelerate growth and expand conversational AI platform into new markets

Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital and Boost.ai announce partnership to accelerate growth and expand conversational AI platform into new markets Image

Boost.ai, a global leader in conversational AI for Fortune 1000 companies, and Nordic Capital, a leading private equity firm focusing on fast growing companies in Northern Europe, today announced an agreement to enter into a partnership where Nordic Capital will actively support Boost.ai in its rapid expansion. Nordic Capital intends to further strengthen the Company’s strong market position by helping it to accelerate growth and expansion into new markets, working closely with the CEO and co-founders. The founders, the management team, and the current owners of Boost.ai, including Finstart Nordic and Alliance Venture, will continue as investors alongside Nordic Capital.

Boost.ai empowers leading enterprises and public sector organisations in Europe and North America to automate and scale customer service, support and sales. The Company offers a no-code conversational AI platform, with a strong focus on customer service and support, that helps bridge the digital gap between brands and their customers, through the use of tailored AI-powered chatbots to meet the demand of large enterprises.

Boost.ai was founded in 2016 by CEO Lars Ropeid Selsås together with co-founders Hadle Ropeid Selsås and Henry Vaage Iversen. The Company has experienced unprecedented growth as demand for its conversational AI platform has soared. Headquartered in Stavanger, Norway, the Company has established satellite offices in Oslo, Stockholm, and Santa Monica, and employs a diverse team of more than 100 employees from 18 countries. Boost.ai’s client base consists of many of the top organisations in the Nordics such as Nordea, Telenor, Santander and DNB, and spans multiple industries including financial services, e-commerce, healthcare and the public sector. At the end of 2020, the Company had annual recurring revenue of NOK ~100 mn.

Lars Selsås, Founder and CEO, Boost.ai commented: “Nordic Capital was always our first choice of partner to take Boost.ai to the next level. They share our vision of becoming a global category leader and, at the same time, can help to maintain our leadership position in the Nordic market. Nordic Capital’s investment in our Company and technology is an endorsement of our success so far, and their team’s experience and strong track record with companies at our growth stage makes me confident that we will achieve great things together.”

Nordic Capital will support Boost.ai’s rapid growth trajectory allowing for further international expansion.

Technology & Payments is one of Nordic Capital’s focus sectors, with 18 platform investments made in the Nordic region since 2001. It has a strong and active sector network and a dedicated Technology & Payments team with local presence across Northern Europe. Nordic Capital’s previous experience in this sector includes investments such as Bambora, Trustly, CINT, Conscia, Siteimprove, Vizrt and Signicat.

Jess Tropp, Principal, Nordic Capital Advisors commented: “We are incredibly impressed by Boost.ai’s founders, management team and employees and the company’s superior conversational AI platform which has achieved industry leading resolution rates, evidenced by very strong customer satisfaction. We believe that Boost.ai represents a rare investment opportunity to invest in a leading Nordic based SaaS company with an attractive growth outlook from increased market penetration, as well as an opportunity to support expansion and internationalisation. Nordic Capital is truly excited about partnering with the founders and management to accelerate Boost.ai’s growth ambitions in the coming years.”

Boost.ai’s management team, led by founder and CEO Lars Ropeid Selsås, will continue to operate and manage the Company following the transaction. Co-founder Henry Vaage Iversen will continue as CCO.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

Press contacts:

Boost.ai
Kristian Mossige, Chief Marketing Officer
Tel: +47 98 40 86 03
E-mail: kristian@boost.ai

Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud, Communications Manager
Nordic Capital Advisors
Tel: + 46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com

 About Boost.ai

Boost.ai specialises in enterprise-grade conversational artificial intelligence (AI). Inventor of the world’s most user-friendly conversational AI platform, Boost.ai empowers frontline customer service teams to automate customer service interactions with proprietary self-learning AI and a no-code solution that’s quick to deploy, easy to learn and highly scalable. Able to handle unlimited intents while consistently maintaining resolution rates of 90 percent, Boost.ai’s technology is used by companies like Telenor, DNB and Silvercar by Audi to successfully automate thousands of interactions. Boost.ai is a privately held Norwegian software company founded in 2016 with headquarters in Stavanger and satellite offices in Santa Monica (US), Oslo and Stockholm. Learn more at boost.ai

 About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and selectively, Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested more than EUR 16 billion in over 110 investments. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund X with EUR 6.1 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, the UK and the US. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

 

Footnote: “Nordic Capital” refers to any, or all, Nordic Capital branded funds and vehicles and associated entities. The general partners of Nordic Capital’s funds and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which is referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.

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Nordic Capital acquires Sortera, a growth leader within recycling, to support accelerated expansion and the development of industrial solutions for the circular economy

Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital acquires Sortera, a growth leader within recycling, to support accelerated expansion and the development of industrial solutions for the circular economy Image

Nordic Capital has signed an agreement to acquire Sortera, the fastest growing environmental services provider of focused recycling and waste solutions in Sweden. Sortera has grown by assisting both the environmental and operational performance of its customers. Nordic Capital intends to accelerate Sortera’s ongoing international expansion and further strengthen its sustainable service offering.

Sortera is a fast-growing Nordic environmental contractor within collection, recycling, processing and broking of residual products from the building and construction sector. Sortera operates primarily within the B2B SME segment in Sweden and Finland through its three business areas: Recycling (RMI construction recycling services), Materials (End-to-end environmental solutions for waste and water) and Industry (Industrial removal of bulk materials and liquids). Through its operations, Sortera contributes to a circular economy in construction – the second largest recycling opportunity globally after the mining industry. The Company’s services enable the increased use of old materials in new construction, reducing the need for raw materials and hence Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Sortera is based in Stockholm, Sweden and has recently expanded into Finland. Since its inception in 2006, the Company has grown to become one of the market leaders in Sweden by focusing on environmental concerns, and by offering its customers increased flexibility, high reliability, short lead times, excellent quality, and superior customer support. Sortera has circa 420 employees and revenues of approximately SEK 1.4 bn in 2020.

Nordic Capital is an active owner with deep experience in growing industrial and business services companies, in which it selectively invests. By closely following the sector, Nordic Capital has gained significant knowledge of the construction recycling industry where it sees strong potential for growth. Nordic Capital has strong credentials in ESG and sustainability lies at the heart of its investment strategy. The ambition is to contribute operational and financial resources to support Sortera’s, international sustainability journey in close partnership with the Company’s management team and founder Conny Ryk.

“During 2020 we further strengthened our market position and continued to invest in future growth. With our recent acquisition in Finland, we have taken the first step to replicating the success in new markets. I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing the journey together with Nordic Capital and maintaining the best interests of our employees, customers, and suppliers,” comments Sebastian Wessman, CEO of Sortera.

“Nordic Capital is very impressed with what Sortera and the owners have built so far and is excited to support the continued journey. We have followed Sortera for a long time and believe that Nordic Capital has the expertise and resources to support the management team in the forthcoming international expansion that Sortera is embarking upon. This investment is at the core of Nordic Capital’s Responsible Investment and Industrial & Business Services investment strategy, and Sortera will be able to leverage on the experience that we have gained from similar journeys and our broad external network. The positive climate impact generated by companies like Sortera is becoming more important and relevant given the environmental challenges that we all face today,” says Andreas Näsvik, Partner and Head of Industrial & Business Services, Nordic Capital Advisors.

Nordic Capital invests selectively in the Industrial & Business Services sector where it has deployed

more than EUR 3.7 billion in 39 platform investments since inception. These include current portfolio companies Consilium Safety Group, iLOQ and Cary Group (formerly Ryds Bilglas) and former investment Anticimex.

The terms of the transaction with the seller Summa Equity were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

 

Press contacts:

Sortera

Sebastian Wessman, CEO
Tel: +46 72 886 95 97
e-mail: Sebastian.Wessman@Sortera.se

Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud, Communications Manager
Nordic Capital Advisors
Tel: + 46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: Katarina.Janerud@NordicCapital.com

About Sortera

Sortera Group is a Nordic environmental company which, through its three business areas (Recycling, Industry and Materials), strives to be the leading environmental entrepreneur on the Nordic market, with solutions that contribute to increased sustainability and improved environmental performance in all of the company’s operations. With just over 420 employees and a turnover of ca SEK 1.4 billion, Sortera conducts its own operations from sales, collection, treatment and recycling to final recipients. Sortera performs daily services for thousands of companies and private individuals in the Nordic region.

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and selectively, Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested more than EUR 16 billion in over 110 investments. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund X with EUR 6.1 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, the UK and the US. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

 

Footnote: “Nordic Capital” refers to any, or all, Nordic Capital branded funds and vehicles and associated entities. The general partners of Nordic Capital’s funds and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which is referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.

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Gimv pioneers with a sustainable finance framework, resulting in the successful issue of a first sustainable bond

GIMV

Gimv NV announces that it has successfully issued its first sustainable bond for an aggregate amount of 100 million EUR (8 years at 2.25%). The issue of this bond is enabled by the creation of a sustainable finance framework, a logical next step to confirm Gimv’s ambitions as a responsible investor. The response to the issue was substantial, it was largely oversubscribed and finally placed with a wide range of investors, of which an important majority are sustainable investors.

In order to match its funding policy with its sustainable investment ambitions and to further increase its impact on society, Gimv pioneers as a listed investment company with the creation of a sustainable finance framework. Next to this first sustainable bond issue, this framework will allow Gimv to continue to attract sustainable funding in the future.

Gimv’s sustainable finance framework was reviewed and approved by Sustainalytics, the Morningstar owned leading independent ESG analyst.

Koen Dejonckheere, CEO: “Sustainability is an important cornerstone for Gimv as a responsible investor. The creation of a sustainable financial framework is in line with our long-term strategy and challenges us to screen the sustainability of our funding in addition to the companies we invest in. This also underlines how we want to be a real partner in sustainability for our portfolio companies.”

Kristof Vande Capelle, CFO: “Sustainable bonds are an important trend in the financing market. As an investment company Gimv is taking the lead in matching the traditional requirements of a sustainable bond with its strategy by allocating funding to companies that actively contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today’s successful bond issue is proof that institutional investors value our ambitions, and we look forward to launching more future initiatives resulting from the design of our new and futureproof framework.”

This bond marks an important next step in Gimv’s continued efforts to create leading companies. Gimv currently oversees a portfolio of 55 companies in four different investment platforms active in sectors that are essential for the future of our economy and society. Gimv’s portfolio includes ambitious companies focusing on promoting healthy sustainable food, providing wide access to care, contributing to the active integration and advancement in the digital society or developing eco-efficient technologies for a circular economy.

The bond was issued in private placement and primarily offered to institutional investors. ING and Belfius were mandated as joint lead managers.

Read the full press release:

EnglishFrenchDutch

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CapMan Buyout invests in food supplement and medical device specialist Pharmia

Capman

CapMan Buyout invests in food supplement and medical device specialist Pharmia

CapMan Buyout invests in Pharmia, a leading food supplement and medical devices specialist in Finland. CapMan acquires a majority equity share in the company, with the owner family of Pharmia retaining a significant share.

Pharmia specialises in contract manufacturing and development of food supplements and CE-marked medical devices. The product portfolio consists of vitamins and minerals, probiotics, as well as CE-marked flu treatment products. Pharmia’s customers include well-known pharmaceutical and food supplement companies, pharmacies and wholesalers in the field in Finland and abroad. Founded in 1993, the family business today employs 90 people.

“Pharmia’s success is a great growth story of a family business. Long-term customer relations, talented personnel and strong product development have kept the company on a stable growth path. With our participation, growth can be further accelerated both organically and through acquisitions”, says Anders Björkell, Partner at CapMan Buyout.

“Food supplements and medical devices are an industry full of opportunities, and we have been following its development for a long time. We are very pleased to start cooperating with the leading company in the field”, Björkell continues.

“Pharmia has been an important part of our family’s life since it was founded 28 years ago by Ph.D. Tuulikki Harmia-Pulkkinen. Pharmia has been a pioneer in Finland in providing development, manufacturing and consulting services to both pharmaceutical and food supplement operators. Today, these industries form a significant business in Finland, with more than a dozen operating companies”, says Kari Pulkkinen, Chairman of the Pharmia board.

“For us, the future trends in the industry and the strengthening of international growth were the main reasons to choose this new ownership arrangement. In this interesting and developing industry, CapMan offers a strong foundation for utilising the know-how that has accumulated in Pharmia during a generation”, Pulkkinen continues.

“CapMan’s participation as a committed major shareholder is beneficial to our long-term customers and personnel, as well as to the entire industry. This arrangement enables significant growth in the international market and, together with the company’s growth goals, will offer interesting opportunities to the experts in the field,” says Hannu Vakkari, CEO of Pharmia.

Pharmia is the second investment of the CapMan Buyout XI fund, which was established in 2019. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2021.

For more information, please contact:

Anders Björkell, Partner, CapMan Buyout, tel. +358 40 5377 566
Kari Pulkkinen, Chairman of the Board, Pharmia, tel. +358 50 344 2605
Hannu Vakkari, CEO, Pharmia, tel. +358 50 065 0790

About CapMan
CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation. We offer a wide selection of investment products and services. As one of the Nordic private equity pioneers, we have developed hundreds of companies and real estate assets and created substantial value in these businesses and assets over the past 30 years. With close to 4 billion in assets under management, our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover Private Equity, Real Estate and Infra. We also have a growing service business that includes procurement services, wealth management, and analysis, reporting and back office services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 150 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London and Luxembourg. We are a public company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001 and a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2012. Read more at www.capman.com

About Pharmia
Pharmia is the first company in its field in Finland specializing in contract manufacturing and services. Initially, we operated strongly in the pharmaceutical industry, e.g. in clinical trials, but today we are focused on the development and manufacturing of food supplements and medical devices (CE marked products). Product development expertise and innovation, efficient production processes, high quality and a customer-oriented operating model have made us a leading operator in Finland. Our customers are mainly domestic, and we manufacture a large part of our country’s most respected brands in the industry. In addition, our products specifically for flu prevention and respiratory care are already exported directly or indirectly to more than 40 countries. Our premises are located in Tuusula, in a recently completely renovated property. Pharmia’s turnover is around 16 MEUR and we employ around 90 talented professionals. Our values ​​are customer orientation, expertise and appreciation towards our colleagues, stakeholders, and society. The development and manufacture of high-quality and safe products that promote health and well-being is rewarding and meaningful, and we feel we contribute to both the success of our customers and the quality of life of our consumers. Read more at pharmia.fi/en/

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The Carlyle Group acquires disguise

Carlyle

Transaction to fuel disguise’s global growth as its cutting-edge technology looks to “reimagine storytelling”

London, UK, 8 March 2021 – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced it has acquired a majority stake in disguise, a leading provider of extended reality (xR) technology[1]. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in London, UK, disguise is a leading technology platform which enables creative and technical professionals to imagine, create and deliver spectacular live visual experiences. disguise specialises in combining real-time 3D visualisation-based software with high performance hardware. The company is one of the main providers of xR and virtual production technology to major entertainment providers, film & TV studios, broadcasters, corporates, and fixed installation companies globally.

Disguise’s technology has been instrumental in spearheading immersive content delivery for key projects like the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and Eurosport’s US Open coverage, live performances from artists like Billie Eilish and Katy Perry, in-game concerts like J.Balvin in Fortnite, corporate presentations from Siemens and SAP, and on-set virtual production from notable VFX studios like Framestore and Orca Studios. Since June 2020, over 150 disguise xR stages have been built in more than 35 countries and disguise xR has powered over 200 shows.

The Carlyle Group will support disguise to capitalise on the significant market opportunity for virtual production technology, a trend that has only accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Leveraging Carlyle’s well-established track record in growing media technology companies globally through investments such as The Mill and Foundry, Carlyle will seek to expand disguise’s customer base through access to Carlyle’s large portfolio of corporate customers as well as relationships with key content providers in the media services industry. The investment thesis is also predicated on disguise expanding its software offering and further geographic expansion. Equity for the investment was provided by Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) IV, a €1.35 billion fund that invests in small and middle market technology-focused opportunities in Europe and the US.

Disguise’s future growth will also be supported by Epic Games, who have taken a minority stake in the business in this transaction. This enhances the existing strong partnership between disguise and Epic’s Unreal Engine. Production companies and broadcasters are embracing the benefits of virtual production techniques, built on photorealistic real-time graphics engines such as Unreal Engine, and LED infrastructure for immersing presenters and performers in virtual environments.

Fernando Kufer, CEO of disguise, said: “Sitting at the forefront of innovation in xR technology, we’re proud of the journey we have been on with our customers and we’re looking forward to further consolidating our position as the global “platform of platforms” for the creation and delivery of content at any scale and location. We see huge potential for growth based on our leading technology platform and unique service offering. We are delighted to have the full support of The Carlyle Group, a firm with a strong track record of growing technology businesses, as we take disguise into the next chapter of its growth journey.”

Michael Wand, Managing Director and Co-Head of the CETP advisory team, said: “Given our history of investing in media technology, we are truly excited to partner with disguise – a player at the cutting edge of virtual media production. disguise has a world-class offering and a growing and impressive list of high-profile clients. The virtual production market is forecast to grow substantially, and we believe the company is uniquely placed to benefit from the accelerated demand for LED-based visual experiences and capture further market share. In partnering with the disguise management team, we will look to leverage our significant experience in scaling media technology companies as we support the company to become a global leader.”

ENDS

Press Enquiries:

disguise

Alexandra Coulson

Email: marketing@disguise.one

The Carlyle Group:

Andrew Kenny
Tel: +44 7816 176120
Email: Andrew.Kenny@Carlyle.com

About disguise

The disguise technology platform enables creative and technical professionals to imagine, create and deliver spectacular live visual experiences at the highest level.

Combining real-time 3D visualisation-based software with high performance hardware, disguise delivers challenging creative projects at scale and with confidence. Its new award-winning Extended Reality (xR) workflow is empowering users to bring to life immersive visual experiences that inspire and engage remote audiences everywhere.

disguise xR has already powered immersive real-time productions for music artists such as Katy Perry and Billie Eilish, enterprise businesses like SAP and Lenovo, educational institutions like the University of Michigan, broadcast TV shows like MTV Video Music Awards, commercial brands like Nike and Under Armour and many other virtual experiences in more than 35 countries. The business has a presence in the US, UK, Spain, UAE, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China and New Zealand.

With an ever increasing global partner network and working alongside the world’s most talented visual designers and technical teams in live events, TV broadcasts, films, concert touring, theatre, fixed installations and corporate and entertainment events, disguise is building the next generation of collaborative tools to help artists and technologists realise their vision.

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $246 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2020, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs 1,825 people in 29 offices across five continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow The Carlyle Group on Twitter @OneCarlyle.

[1] Extended Reality is an umbrella term used to describe immersive technologies that can merge the physical and virtual worlds. It includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) alongside others.

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CapMan Special Situations -fund acquires HopLop Group

Capman

CapMan press release 5 March 2021 at 3.30 p.m. EET

CapMan Special Situations -fund acquires HopLop Group

The first investment of the CapMan Special Situations fund is HopLop, Finland’s largest chain of adventure parks.

CapMan Special Situations fund has acquired 100% of the equity and debt capital of HopLop Group. The transaction enables a critical restructuring of the balance sheet, secures the continuation of the business through the Covid-19 pandemic, and accelerates future growth.

HopLop is the first investment of CapMan’s newly established Special Situations fund that pursues event-driven investment situations by providing flexible capital solutions and strong operational expertise.

HopLop operates a chain of adventure parks and playgrounds for children. The company is a market leader in Finland and has taken first steps to expand internationally. Prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the business developed well. The company has taken many actions during 2020 to increase efficiency and adapt to the changing situation. With the support of CapMan, the business is well-positioned to focus on its core business and foster new growth.

“HopLop is the first investment for our fund and an important milestone for the execution of the strategy that we launched last summer. The now completed transaction enables the restructuring of HopLop’s balance sheet, the continuation of the business and securing future growth. HopLop’s internationalisation expansion will continue,” says Jari Vikiö, Partner at CapMan Special Situations.

“On behalf of the company, I am pleased with this excellent solution to the company’s challenging situation. CapMan Special Situations enables us to beat the Covid-19 crisis, further develop the company and drive new growth. With the support of CapMan’s experienced team, HopLop’s management is very committed to develop the business further following this transaction,” says Kalle Peltola, who will remain as CEO of HopLop.

CapMan Special Situations invests in event-driven opportunities across economic cycles and industry sectors. At the core of the investment area are demanding corporate restructurings and operational transformations. CapMan Special Situations is a responsible investor, and its mission is to contribute to societal wellbeing by ensuring that viable companies can successfully steer through demanding situations and once again thrive. Antti Uusitalo, Tuomas Rinne and Jari Vikiö serve as Partners of the investment area.

For additional information, please contact:
Jari Vikiö, Partner, CapMan Special Situations, tel. +358 40 505 0733

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation. We offer a wide selection of investment products and services. As one of the Nordic private equity pioneers, we have developed hundreds of companies and real estate assets and created substantial value in these businesses and assets over the past 30 years. With close to €4 billion in assets under management, our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover Private Equity, Real Estate and Infra. We also have a growing service business that includes procurement services, wealth management, and analysis, reporting and back office services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 150 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London and Luxembourg. We are a public company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001 and a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2012. Read more at www.capman.com.

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ICT Group and a consortium led by NPM Capital agree on recommended all-cash public offer for all shares in ICT Group

NPM Capital

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

This is a joint press release by ICT Group N.V. (“ICT Group” or the “Company“), NPM Investments XI B.V. (the “Offeror“) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPM Capital N.V. (“NPM Capital“)) and Teslin Ipanema Acquisition B.V. (Teslin Acquisition”) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teslin Participaties Coöperatief U.A. (“Teslin“), and together with NPM Capital the “Consortium“) pursuant to the provisions of Section 4, paragraphs 1 and 3, Section 5, paragraph 1 and Section 7, paragraph 4 of the Netherlands Decree in Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft, the “Decree“) in connection with the intended recommended public offer by the Offeror for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of ICT Group. This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in ICT Group. Any offer will be made only by means of an offer memorandum (the “Offer Memorandum“) approved by the AFM. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, the United States, Canada and Japan.
ICT GROUP AND A CONSORTIUM LED BY NPM CAPITAL AGREE ON RECOMMENDED ALL-CASH OFFER OF EUR 14.50 PER SHARE
Transaction highlights

  • Recommended all-cash public offer by Offeror for all Shares in ICT Group at an offer price of EUR 14.50 (cum dividend) per Share, representing a total consideration of approx. EUR 140.6 million
  • The Offer Price represents a premium of approx. 31.8% to the ICT Group closing share price on Thursday 4 March 2021 and a premium of approx. 52.8% to the 6 -month average daily volume weighted share price, delivering immediate, certain and attractive value to ICT Group’s shareholders
  • The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of ICT Group fully support the Transaction and unanimously recommend the Offer
  • The Consortium comprises of experienced investors and will provide ICT Group with knowledge, expertise and financial backing for investments and acquisitions in accordance with ICT Group’s long-term strategy
  • The Consortium is committed to support and accelerate ICT Group’s strategy of driving organic growth and growth through acquisitions and intends to make equity financing available in the amount of up to EUR 200 million to actively support ICT Group in pursuing add-on acquisitions
  • The Offeror views the employees of ICT Group as one of the fundamental assets for its current and continued success; existing rights and benefits of ICT Group’s employees will be respected
  • ICT Group’s corporate identity, values and culture will be maintained
  • ICT Group’s existing Executive Board, led by CEO Jos Blejie and CFO Jan Willem Wienbelt, will continue to lead the Company
  • The Consortium has committed equity financing in place providing certain funds and high deal certainty
  • Teslin, holding approx. 19.3% of the Shares, has irrevocably committed to tender or contribute its Shares to the Offeror, and Mavawe B.V., holding approx. 6.4% of the Shares, has irrevocably committed to tender its Shares under the Offer
  • Following completion, NPM Capital will hold approx. 83% and Teslin Acquisition approx. 17% in the Consortium
  • The draft Offer Memorandum will be submitted to the AFM no later than in April 2021, with completion of the Offer anticipated in Q3 of 2021

 

Rotterdam/Amsterdam/Maarsbergen, the Netherlands, 5 March 2021 – ICT Group, an industrial-technology solutions provider, and the Consortium consisting of NPM Capital and Teslin are pleased to announce that a conditional agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) has been reached on a recommended public offer (the “Offer”, and together with the transactions contemplated in connection therewith, including the Merger and Liquidation, the “Transaction”) for all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in ICT Group (the “Shares”) for EUR 14.50 (cum dividend) in cash per Share (the “Offer Price”). The Offer represents a total consideration of approximately EUR 140.6 million.

Theo van der Raadt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ICT Group: “The Supervisory Board unanimously supports the offer as we believe it will be beneficial to all ICT Group’s stakeholders. The strategic review conducted by the Executive Board showed that, also in the context of our consolidating industry, ICT Group should accelerate its growth strategy and that this could be achieved best in a private environment. After a diligent and carefully executed competitive bidding process we concluded that the offer by the Consortium best serves the interest of all ICT Group’s stakeholders. The transaction reflects a compelling offer price for our shareholders, while best safeguarding the interests of both our employees and customers.”

Jos Blejie, CEO of ICT Group: “In the past years ICT Group has evolved from a secondment services provider to an industrial technology solutions provider with a resilient business model. This has resulted in a healthy mix of activities, while we further increase our focus on high added value services, including our own industry-specific software propositions. Accelerating our growth strategy, in which acquisitions will be instrumental, will further leverage our strong position and enhance our capabilities to further improve and expand our services to our customers. The Consortium is committed to supporting us in accelerating our growth and geographical expansion, including providing further equity financing for add-on acquisitions. NPM Capital and Teslin are reputable Dutch investors known for their long-term commitment with an entrepreneurial spirit and a solid track record of supporting management teams in growing their business. Our employees are our most important asset, supported by a strong culture of excellence and driven by our passion for technology. We believe that this partner will bring increased career opportunities in a growing company. We look forward to continuing our journey with the Consortium.”

Bart Coopmans, NPM Capital, on behalf of the Consortium: “We are pleased to have reached a conditional agreement with the Boards of ICT Group. We strongly believe in ICT Group’s strategy and will support the Company in its next stage of development, working towards becoming a leading Northern European industrial technology solutions provider. The investment in ICT Group fits our strategic investment themes, where the trend of digitization further drives the growth in demand for industrial technology solutions. Our track record in technology investments and our expertise in doing (international) acquisitions, in combination with our extensive network and financial resources will support the company going-forward. NPM Capital and Teslin very much look forward to working with ICT Group management and supporting them in accelerating the execution of their business strategy.”

Strategic review and transaction process

Strategic review
During the summer of 2020, ICT Group performed a strategic review to identify, review and evaluate strategic options available to accelerate its current strategy. Following this strategic review, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of ICT Group (the “Boards“) concluded that ICT Group could optimise its position as a strong partner for clients, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders by enhancing its geographic presence and increasing its scale. Having reviewed and considered various alternative strategic options, the Boards have concluded that a private environment would be optimal for ICT Group to realise this goal. Such an environment could provide access to a substantial amount of capital to finance organic and inorganic growth and could better position ICT Group to execute on M&A opportunities available in the market.

Transaction process
As a result of the outcome of the strategic review, ICT Group, together with its financial and legal advisers, set up a competitive bidding process in the second half of 2020, with various parties being approached to express their interest in a possible transaction. A special committee consisting of two Supervisory Board members (the “Special Committee“) was appointed to safeguard the interests of ICT Group’s stakeholders and ensure a full and thorough process. The Special Committee and the Boards have frequently and extensively discussed the developments of a proposed transaction and related key decisions throughout the process. Consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities, the Boards, with the assistance of their financial and legal advisers, have carefully reviewed the proposals that were submitted by interested parties, and they have given careful consideration to all aspects of the proposals, including strategic, financial, operational and social aspects.

Support and unanimous recommendation by the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board
Following the diligent and carefully executed competitive process, the Boards believe that the Consortium has made the most compelling offer representing a fair price and attractive premium to ICT Group’s shareholders as well as the most favourable non-financial terms. The Boards have therefore concluded that the Transaction is in the best interest of the Company and the sustainable success of its business, taking into account the interests of all ICT Group’s stakeholders.

AXECO Corporate Finance has issued a fairness opinion to the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, and the Corporate Finance Division of ING Bank N.V. has issued a separate fairness opinion to the Supervisory Board. Both have opined that, from a financial point of view, the Offer is fair to the shareholders of ICT Group and that the price payable under the share sale pursuant to the Merger and Liquidation (as defined below) is fair to ICT Group.

Taking all these considerations into account, the Boards unanimously support the Transaction and recommend the Offer for acceptance to the shareholders of ICT Group. Accordingly, the Boards recommend that the shareholders of ICT Group accept the Offer and vote in favour of the resolutions relating to the Offer at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting of ICT Group (the “EGM“), to be held during the offer period.

Irrevocable undertaking of shareholders
Teslin currently has an aggregate shareholding in ICT Group of approximately 19.3% of the Shares and has irrevocably undertaken to support the Offer and vote in favour of the resolutions that will be proposed at the EGM to be held in connection with the Transaction. Teslin will invest a substantial part of its current shareholding into the Offeror and will tender the remaining part under the Offer. In addition, Teslin has also made available substantial amounts of equity financing to support ICT Group in executing its strategy going forward.

Furthermore, Mavawe B.V., holding approximately 6.4% of the Shares, has irrevocably undertaken to support and accept the Offer and vote in favour of the resolutions that will be proposed at the EGM to be held in connection with the Transaction. No additional shareholders have been approached for an irrevocable undertaking to support and accept the Offer.

Board members have also entered into irrevocable commitments in respect of all Shares and other securities held by them.

The irrevocable commitments of Mavawe B.V. and board members to tender their Shares and the irrevocable commitment of Teslin to tender or invest its Shares together represent approximately 26.7% of the Shares.

In accordance with the applicable public offer rules, information shared about the Offer with shareholders providing an irrevocable undertaking will, unless not published prior to the Offer Memorandum being made generally available, be included in the Offer Memorandum in respect of the Offer (if and when issued) and these shareholders will tender their Shares on the same terms (including price) and conditions as the other shareholders.

Non-financial covenants
ICT Group and the Offeror have agreed to certain covenants, including covenants on strategy, employees, corporate governance, leverage and other non-financial matters, for a duration of three years after settlement (the “Non-Financial Covenants“). ICT Group and the Offeror have also agreed to covenants on minority shareholders.

Strategy and M&A
The Offeror fully supports and respects ICT Group’s business strategy of driving organic growth and growth through acquisitions. The Offeror will support ICT Group in pursuing such add-on acquisitions and intends to make equity financing available to the Company for up to an amount of EUR 200 million to fund these acquisitions.

ICT Group and the Offeror have agreed that the Offeror will not break up the Company’s group and its business, and the Offeror does not intend to pursue any divestments of any of the Company’s group’s subsidiaries, business units or material assets.

Employees
The Offeror recognises the value and importance of ICT Group’s employees. Their existing rights and benefits will be respected, including existing rights and benefits under their individual employment agreements and existing rights and benefits under existing covenants made to the works council. The Offeror will respect the existing pension arrangements and will preserve ICT Group’s culture of excellence, where qualified employees of the Company’s group are offered attractive training and career opportunities.

The Offeror will respect the Company’s group’s current employee consultation structure and will ensure that the arrangements between ICT Group and the works council are respected.

ICT Group and the Offeror have agreed that the current members of the Executive Board will continue to serve as members of the Executive Board and that Roy Jansen, ICT Group’s current Chief Operating Officer, will be appointed to the Executive Board following settlement.

Governance
It is envisaged that upon successful completion of the Offer the Supervisory Board of ICT Group will consist of five members. Theo van der Raadt and Koen Beeckmans will continue as Chairman and member of the Supervisory Board, respectively. As independent members they will especially monitor compliance with the Non-Financial Covenants. Three new supervisory board members will be designated by the Consortium, of which two by NPM Capital and one by Teslin.

ICT Group will continue to operate as a separate legal entity and ICT Group’s corporate identity, values and culture will be maintained.

ICT Group’s large company regime (structuurregime) will remain in place in its current form.

Financing and leverage
The Offeror will ensure that the Company’s group will remain prudently capitalised and financed to safeguard the continuity of the business and the execution of the strategy. Furthermore, the Offeror will procure that the Company’s group does not incur additional third party debt resulting in a higher ratio of net third-party debt to EBITDA than three (3) times post-IFRS-16 EBITDA.

Fully committed financing for the Offer
The Offer Price values 100% of the Shares at approximately EUR 140.6 million. The Offeror has received a binding equity commitment letter from NPM Capital for the total consideration, all the Company’s indebtedness and the associated transaction costs (the “Equity Financing“). The Offeror intends to take out debt financing for an amount of EUR 50 – 60 million, to replace the current bank/debt facilities and part of the Equity Financing, and to enter into binding loan documentation post-announcement, which will be fully committed on a “certain funds” basis (the “Debt Financing“).

From the arranged Equity Financing and Debt Financing, the Offeror will be able to fund the acquisition of the Shares under the Offer, the purchase price pursuant to the share sale in connection with the Merger and Liquidation (if implemented), the payment or refinancing of ICT Group’s existing debt, and the payment of fees and expenses related to the Offer.

Fairness Opinions
On 4 March 2021, AXECO Corporate Finance B.V. issued a fairness opinion to the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, and the Corporate Finance Division of ING Bank N.V. has issued a separate fairness opinion to the Supervisory Board, in each case related to the fairness, as of such date, and based on and subject to the factors and assumptions set out in each fairness opinion, that the Offer Price is fair to the holders of Shares, and that the price payable under the share sale pursuant to the Merger and Liquidation is fair to ICT Group. The full text of these fairness opinions, each of which sets out the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with each such opinion, will be included in ICT Group’s position statement. The opinion of AXECO Corporate Finance B.V. has been given to the Executive Board and to the Supervisory Board and the opinion of the Corporate Finance Division of ING Bank N.V. has been given to the Supervisory Board, and not to the holders of Shares. The fairness opinions do not make any recommendation to the holders of Shares as to whether they should tender their Shares under the Offer (if and when made) or how they should vote or act with respect to the proposed resolutions at the EGM or any other matter.

Investment by key management
The Consortium is focused on ensuring that ICT Group’s key management is retained. After agreement was reached on the most fundamental elements of the Offer, Jos Blejie, Jan Willem Wienbelt and Roy Jansen have had initial discussions with the Consortium regarding participation in the Offeror. The Offeror shall invite Jos Blejie, Jan Willem Wienbelt and Roy Jansen and certain other members of key management of ICT Group to invest and participate in the Offeror after settlement of the Offer.

Pre-offer and offer conditions
The commencement of this Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of pre-offer conditions customary for a transaction of this kind, including:

  • No material breach of the Merger Agreement having occurred
  • No material adverse effect having occurred
  • The Stichting Continuïteit ICT not having exercised its option to call for the issue of cumulative preference shares and no cumulative preference shares in ICT Group having been issued
  • The Offeror having received confirmation from the AFM that the AFM has approved the final draft of the Offer Memorandum
  • Compliance with the co-determination procedures pursuant to the Dutch Works Council Act with respect to the works council of ICT Group
  • Compliance with the notification procedures pursuant to the Merger Code (SER Fusiegedragsregels 2015)
  • No public announcement having been made of a Competing Offer (as defined below)
  • The Boards not having revoked or altered their recommendation of the Offer
  • No order, stay, judgment or decree having been issued restraining, prohibiting or delaying the consummation of the Transaction in any material respect
  • No notification having been received from the AFM that the Offer was prepared in contravention of any of the provisions of chapter 5.5 of the Wft or the Decree, within the meaning of section 5:80 Wft in which case, pursuant to those rules, investment firms would not be permitted to cooperate with the execution and completion of the Offer
  • Euronext not having permanently suspended or ended trading in the Shares on Euronext

If and when made, the consummation of this Offer will be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following offer conditions customary for a transaction of this kind, including:

  • Minimum acceptance level of at least 95% of the Shares, to be reduced to 80% if the general meeting of the Company adopts the resolutions in connection with the Merger and Liquidation at the EGM
  • The Competition Clearance (as defined below) having been obtained or the applicable time periods having expired, lapsed or terminated
  • The Stichting Continuïteit ICT not having exercised its option to call for the issue of cumulative preference shares; no cumulative preference shares in ICT Group having been issued; and the Stichting Continuïteit ICT having waived its right to exercise the call option and agreed to termination of the call option agreement with ICT Group with effect from settlement
  • The general meeting of the Company having adopted the resolutions in connection with the Merger and Liquidation at the EGM and the resolutions relating to the composition of the Supervisory Board following settlement
  • No public announcement having been made of a Competing Offer (as defined below)
  • The Boards not having revoked or altered their recommendation of the Offer
  • No material breach of the Merger Agreement having occurred
  • No material adverse effect having occurred
  • No order, stay, judgment or decree having been issued restraining, prohibiting or delaying the consummation of the proposed transaction in any material respect
  • No notification having been received from the AFM that the Offer was made in contravention of any of the provisions of chapter 5.5 of the Wft or the Decree, within the meaning of section 5:80 Wft in which case, pursuant to those rules, investment firms would not be permitted to cooperate with the execution and completion of the Offer
  • Euronext not having permanently suspended or ended trading in the Shares on Euronext

Acquisition of 100% of the Shares
The Consortium and ICT Group believe the sustainable and long-term success of ICT Group will be enhanced under private ownership and acknowledge the importance of acquiring 100% of the Shares and achieving a delisting of ICT Group in order to execute on ICT Group’s long-term strategy. This importance is based, inter alia, on:

  • the ability to achieve the strategic benefits of the Transaction and enhance the sustainable success of the Company’s business in an expeditious manner in a private environment in a fully owned set-up after delisting;
  • the fact that having a single shareholder and operating without a public listing increases the Group’s ability to achieve the goals and implement the actions of its strategy;
  • the ability to terminate the listing of the Shares from Euronext Amsterdam, and all resulting cost savings therefrom;
  • the ability to achieve an efficient capital structure;
  • as part of long-term strategic objectives the ability to focus on pursuing and supporting (by providing access to equity and debt capital) continued buy-and-build acquisition opportunities.

If the Offeror acquires at least 95% of the Shares, it is intended that ICT Group’s listing on Euronext Amsterdam will be terminated as soon as possible. In that case, the Offeror will start statutory squeeze-out proceedings to obtain 100% of the Shares as soon as possible.

If, after the post-acceptance period, the Offeror acquires less than 95%, but at least 80%, of the Shares, the Offeror intends to acquire the entire business of ICT Group at the same price and for the same aggregate consideration as the Offer, pursuant to a legal triangular merger of the Company with two newly incorporated subsidiaries of the Company (Company Holdco and Company Sub), a share sale regarding the shares of Company Sub, between the Offeror and Company Holdco, and a subsequent liquidation of Company Holdco to deliver such consideration to the shareholders (the “Merger and Liquidation“). The advance liquidation distribution to the shareholders of Company Holdco will be an amount that is to the fullest extent possible equal to the Offer Price, without any interest, subject to any applicable withholding taxes and other taxes. The Merger and Liquidation is subject to the approval of ICT Group shareholders at the EGM. The Boards have agreed to unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the Merger and Liquidation. Once the legal triangular merger is implemented, the listing of ICT Group will terminate.

In the event that the Offeror acquires less than 80% of the Shares, the Boards and the individual members of the Boards will be under no obligation to cooperate with the Merger and Liquidation, but they will have the opportunity to re-evaluate the Merger and Liquidation and whether to proceed with it nonetheless in light of the then prevailing circumstances. Accordingly, the Company and the Offeror may agree to proceed with the Merger and Liquidation in such scenario, provided however that this will only be permitted with the prior approval of the Boards, including a vote in favour of that approval by at least one of the independent Supervisory Board members.

The Offeror may utilise all other available legal measures in order to acquire full ownership of the Company, outstanding Shares and/or its business in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

Competition Clearance
The Offeror will procure the preparation and filing with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (the “ACM“) to obtain the required competition clearance in respect of the Offer (the “Competition Clearance“) as soon as practicable after the signing of the Merger Agreement. The Offeror and ICT Group will closely co-operate in respect of any necessary contact with and notifications to the ACM.

Exclusivity and Competing Offer
ICT Group will notify the Offeror in writing if a bona fide third party makes a credible, written and binding unsolicited proposal to acquire all of the Shares or substantially all of ICT Group’s business or a merger of ICT Group that exceeds the original consideration by 10% and, which in the reasonable opinion of the Boards, is a more beneficial offer than the Offer as contemplated in the Merger Agreement (a “Competing Offer“). In the event of such Competing Offer, the Offeror has the opportunity to match such Competing Offer. If it does, and the terms and conditions of such revised offer are, in the reasonable opinion of the Boards, at least equal to those of the Competing Offer, the Merger Agreement will continue in force. ICT Group and the Offeror may terminate the Merger Agreement (i) if the Offeror does not submit within seven business days of ICT Group’s notice of having received a Competing Offer, or (ii) if the Offeror has not made a revised offer, or (iii) if the Offeror has informed the Company that it does not wish to make a revised offer, in which case ICT Group will be entitled to conditionally agree to the Competing Offer. As part of the agreement, ICT Group has entered into customary undertakings not to solicit third party offers.

Termination
If the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) because of a Competing Offer having been conditionally agreed or (ii) in case of a material event, development, circumstance or change that requires the Boards to change their recommendation, ICT Group will pay the Offeror a EUR 1.4 million (1% of the Offer value) termination fee.

These termination fees are without prejudice to each party’s rights under the Merger Agreement to demand specific performance.

Next steps and additional information
ICT Group and the Offeror will seek to obtain all necessary approvals and the Competition Clearance as soon as practicable; the Offeror has agreed to take the necessary steps to obtain that clearance from the ACM. The required advice and consultation procedures with ICT Group’s works council will start as soon as feasible. Both parties are confident that the Offeror will secure all approvals and the Competition Clearance within the timetable of the Offer.

The Offeror intends to launch the Offer as soon as practically possible and in accordance with the applicable statutory timetable. The Offeror expects to submit a request for review and approval of the Offer Memorandum no later than in April 2021 and to publish the Offer Memorandum after approval.

ICT Group will hold the EGM at least six business days before the offer period ends, in accordance with Section 18 Paragraph 1 of the Decree. ICT Group’s shareholders will also be asked to approve the Merger and Liquidation and certain other resolutions with respect to the Offer.

Based on the required steps and subject to the necessary approvals, ICT Group and the Offeror anticipate that the Offer will close in Q3 2021.

Advisers
AXECO Corporate Finance B.V. is acting as ICT Group’s financial adviser and the Corporate Finance Division of ING Bank N.V. as financial adviser to the Supervisory Board. De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. is acting as ICT Group’s legal adviser and Lindner & van Maaren as communications adviser.

On behalf of NPM Capital, Rabobank is acting as financial adviser, Allen & Overy LLP as legal adviser and Confidant Partners as communications adviser. Clifford Chance LLP is acting as Teslin’s legal adviser.

General restrictions
The information in this announcement is not intended to be complete. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire the securities of ICT Group in any jurisdiction.

The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Consortium, the Offeror and ICT Group disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither ICT Group, nor the Consortium, nor Offeror, nor any of their advisers assume any responsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions. ICT Group shareholders in any doubt as to their position should consult an appropriate professional adviser without delay. This announcement is not to be published or distributed in or to Canada, Japan and the United States.

Forward-looking statements
This press release may include “forward-looking statements” such as statements relating to the impact of this transaction on the Offeror and ICT Group and language that indicates trends, such as “anticipated” and “expected”. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although ICT Group and the Offeror believe that the assumptions upon which their respective financial information and their respective forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions, the Offeror’s ability to achieve the anticipated results from the acquisition of the Company, the effects of competition (in particular the response to the Transaction in the marketplace), economic conditions in the global markets in which the Offeror and the Company operate, and other factors that can be found in the Offeror’s and the Company’s press releases and public filings. Neither ICT Group nor the Consortium nor the Offeror, nor any of their advisers accept any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business or operations or results or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of the Company, the Consortium and the Offeror expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

For more information, please contact:

Press enquiries ICT Group
Carla Stuifzand, marketing director
+31 (0)88 908 2000, E-mail: investor.relations@ict.nl
Website www.ictgroup.eu                                                      

Press enquiries Consortium
Confidant Partners
Sabine Post – de Jong
+31 20 303 60 20, sabine.post@confidantpartners.com

About ICT Group
ICT Group is a leading European industrial technology solutions provider. Our dedicated technical professionals offer our clients services in the field of consultancy, software development, project-based solutions and IT system maintenance. It is our mission to make the world a little smarter every day. Our specialist knowledge in a variety of industries enables us to realise innovative solutions by linking people, technologies and ideas. With around 1,500 dedicated technical specialists in the field, we are capable of building and integrating new and innovative technologies into relevant business solutions for our customers.

Our Industries solutions serve the automotive, manufacturing, high-tech, food, chemicals & pharma, oil & gas and logistics industries. Our Public & Infra solutions are focused on water, rail and road infrastructure as well as public transport and mobility. Across all industries ICT Group offers proprietary industry-specific software solutions, including its own cloud-based platform for IoT, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. ICT Group is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and has a presence in the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Sweden.

About NPM Capital
NPM Capital invests in mid-market companies in the Benelux and supports companies to enter the next growth phase in their development. NPM Capital, with SHV as its sole shareholder, has sufficient capital in order to apply a long investment horizon. Currently, NPM Capital has a portfolio of 26 participations (majority as well as minority holdings, including growth capital) and focuses on the following trends: Everything is Digital, Future of Energy, Feeding the World and Healthy Life.

About Teslin
Teslin is an investment fund managed by Teslin Capital Management. Teslin invests in promising small- and midcaps. Based on fundamental analysis Teslin selects companies active in attractive markets with a strong market position, healthy cash flow and a proper corporate governance structure. Teslin focuses on responsible value creation in the long term and acts as an active and involved shareholder. Teslin has been a long-term significant, active and committed shareholder of ICT Group since 2002 and is delighted to support ICT Group in accelerating and realizing its potential in the coming years, growing into a leading Northern-European industrial technology solutions provider. For more information, please visit: www.teslin.nl

Notes to the press release
This is a public announcement by ICT Group N.V. pursuant to section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). This public announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in ICT Group N.V.

 

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