Reshaping industries: M&A highlights and strategic vision

Deal activity I Q2 2024

The second quarter of 2024 marked a dynamic period for Oaklins, as evidenced by the successful conclusion of 62 transactions, predominantly on the sell-side. This activity underscores the adaptability of various industries to evolving market conditions and strategic imperatives.

Leading the charge, the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) sector saw 17 deals, driven by the relentless pace of technological innovation and disruption.

Significant activity was also seen in the Consumer & Retail sector with eight transactions. These deals were driven by companies seeking to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and diversifying their offerings to stay competitive. Examples of this include companies businesses enhancing their e-commerce capabilities and expanding their product lines to meet changing market demands.

The Real Estate sector closed seven deals, influenced by urbanization trends and the demand for sustainable buildings. The Construction & Engineering Services, Energy, Financial Services and Industrial Machinery sectors each saw six deals, highlighting the recent focus on infrastructure development, renewable energy projects, financial technology innovations and manufacturing efficiency.

As demonstrated by the transactions and testimonials below, our professional guidance helps clients understand their current situation and anticipate changes in both their sector and the global markets, positioning them for success.

A selection of deals closed in Q2

Oaklins’ team in Germany provided us with comprehensive and professional advice throughout the highly complex M&A process and even exceeded our expectations. Thanks to their expertise and their international network in the real estate software sector, they enabled us to develop the best possible options and ultimately execute them successfully. PEER-MARTIN RUNGE, MANAGER MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS, HAUFE GROUP

The advisory team from Oaklins’ German team accompanied our M&A process with tremendous commitment and patience, bringing it to a successful conclusion. Their diplomatic skills, process experience and full dedication were crucial elements that greatly helped us. Many thanks to the team that supported us during this exciting phase of our company. DR. THOMAS BRANDNER, SHAREHOLDER, PROVITAL GMBH

We would like to sincerely thank the Oaklins team in Germany for the excellent collaboration over the past few months, and especially in the final days leading up to the closing. It has been a great pleasure. Your professionalism, organization and friendliness have made this a very positive experience for us. NICHOLAS NEERPASCH AND CARSTEN PETZOLD, MANAGING PARTNERS, DOOZER

We are impressed with the company that Jan Rijcken built and which Remko Tiecken has further developed. We look forward to supporting Remko Tiecken and his team to continue and accelerate their growth trajectory. Authentic Cuisine Group, with its various business units, has a strong position in Germany and we are confident we can expand in the Netherlands, Germany and other European markets, both organically and through acquisitions. RUBEN DANKAART, PARTNER, FOREMAN CAPITAL

From all of the shareholders at Venus, we would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Oaklins Cavendish for advising us on this successful sale to Tesco/Booker — we believe that under their new ownership, the business will continue to thrive. The expertise, hard work and tenacity we got from the Oaklins Cavendish team was excellent and we are delighted with the outcome. We would certainly recommend the Oaklins Cavendish team to other business founders and owners. LAKI CHRISTOFOROU, CEO, VENUS WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS PLC

I’m delighted to have found in Angus Capital a succession team driven by human and entrepreneurial values with the passion, know-how and expertise to pursue Leika’s mission. From beginning to end, the Oaklins team in Canada played a critical role in leading the process to a successful close. The level of service received and the final outcome exceeded my expectations. I warmly recommend Oaklins’ Canadian team to owners considering selling their company. JEAN-FRANCOIS TANGUAY, SHAREHOLDER, LEIKA MEDICAL EQUIPMENTS LTD.

Oaklins has been a tremendous help for the owners and the organization throughout a highly complex and demanding process. MORTEN GLENTHØJ, CHAIRMAN AND CO-OWNER, SINDAL BIOGAS A/S

I am very pleased with the outcome of the transaction in attracting Craft Capital as a new shareholder, given its shared entrepreneurial DNA and the expertise it will bring. Following the opening of our third XXL Experience Store and new warehouse, and combined with the growth ambitions of the management team, the company is well positioned for its next phase of growth. I am highly confident that Craft Capital, together with the management team and all the people at Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen, will make these ambitions a reality. Oaklins’ role and commitment were instrumental in navigating the complexities and ensuring the success of this transaction. HENK SMIT, SHAREHOLDER, KEES SMIT TUINMEUBELEN

We are delighted to be taking this next step with GE HealthCare, a fellow leader in the interventional cardiology domain. Building on Medis QFR’s decade of AI research, customer-focused product development, clinical evidence generation and business development, we are excited to be able to further accelerate our efforts around Medis QFR to enable more hospitals and clinicians to apply physiology in day-to-day interventional practice as part of clinical care best practices, making this technology more accessible and available to patients than ever before. MAYA BARLEY, CEO, MEDIS MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEMS B.V.

We would like to thank Oaklins Cavendish very much for their advice on this transaction. Their sector expertise and insight, especially in the escorted touring area, together with their knowledge on technical aspects of the business model was invaluable. We look forward to working with them further as we develop our relationship with Distant Journeys. CHRIS PRICE, PARTNER, MOBEUS EQUITY PARTNERS

After a review of the business and competitive landscape, it made sense for a larger trade industry player to be the home for the Taunton Books division. We feel that Abrams is the right fit and can provide focus on this business, allowing Active Interest Media to concentrate on its core competencies, producing consumer and trade magazines, websites, events and education. We are working closely with Abrams to ensure a smooth and successful transition. ANDREW W. CLURMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ACTIVE INTEREST MEDIA

We are very excited to join Janus Henderson in its mission to offer investors prime investment solutions. It is the perfect partner with whom to create a market-leading, multi-asset ETF toolkit. I would like to extend our thanks to the team at Oaklins Cavendish who ran an excellent process and provided quality, considered advice throughout — many thanks to the whole team. MICHAEL JOHN LYTLE, CEO, TABULA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

The Oaklins Heritage team’s responsiveness to our needs, as well as the buyer and their attorneys, allowed us to complete this transaction quickly and efficiently. We could not have achieved our goals in this transaction without their consultation and advice. ROBERT BAKER, PRESIDENT, BAKER CONSTRUCTORS

Oaklins’ ability to help us get comfortable with Jowa’s global group structure, has been critical to the success of the transaction. The team’s strategic insight and negotiating tactics secured IMS a predictable path towards finalizing the deal. ROY LANGSETH, CEO, IMS GROUP AS

We are excited to have found a new home for these storied and well-respected brands. While these are always difficult decisions, it is great to know that their stewardship moving forward will be under the guidance of a company and leader dedicated to and passionate about their continued growth and expansion. DAN HICKEY, CEO, KALMBACH MEDIA

We are pleased with the sale of Dania Software to Omnidocs Group/Main Capital Partners. It marks a recognition of our achievements in succeeding in placing Dania Software as a leading software solution provider in the market. Becoming a part of the constellation with Omnidocs Group and Main Capital Partners will provide us a strong basis for our continued growth. As management and shareholders, we look forward to continuing our journey of creating a strong value proposition for our customers. LARS HINTZE ANDERSEN, CEO AND CO-OWNER, DANIA SOFTWARE A/S

Our goal was to find a new partner for Top Systems who not only wants to invest in further growth, but also gives us the space to work on new technical innovations such as high-voltage solutions. Oaklins’ pragmatic and result-oriented approach has proved exceptionally valuable throughout the process, helping us to find the best partner for Top Systems that aligns with our entrepreneurial core values. We are very satisfied with their advice, the smooth process and having found Holland Capital as the right new partner. ERWIN VAN HEIJNINGEN, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SHAREHOLDER, TOP SYSTEMS

The United Enertech team’s air control and product knowledge, combined with S&P’s mechanical ventilation product portfolio, will provide our customers with an ideal single-source ventilation system solution. EUGENE SCOTCHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOLER & PALAU VENTILATION GROUP NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION