A look back: Success stories and smart moves in Q1

Deal activity I Q1 2024

In the first quarter of this year, Oaklins successfully concluded 75 transactions, of which the majority were sell-side and 43% of our M&A transactions were cross-border deals. This showcases our skill in finding and securing outstanding international opportunities for our clients who are looking to grow their businesses worldwide.

What’s more, collectively this M&A activity reflects a dynamic market responding to evolving industry landscapes and strategic imperatives.

The quarter saw a significant number of transactions across various industries, with TMT leading the pack with 15 deals, followed by Food & Beverage with 10 transactions, and Energy, Real Estate, and Construction & Engineering Services each recording nine transactions. These trends align with the global M&A panorama, where technology sectors have been experiencing heightened activity, driven by advances in AI and cybersecurity. The emphasis on Energy, Real Estate, and Construction & Engineering Services resonates with the increased M&A focus in these sectors due to factors like decarbonization and consolidation.

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

A selection of deals closed in Q1

The successful acquisition by Thrive represents a pivotal moment in Paradiesfrucht’s history. This strategic partnership not only unlocks new pathways for growth but also allows us to bring our freeze-dried products to a broader European and international market. We are confident that the synergies between Paradiesfrucht and Thrive will lead to sustained success. Both Dr. Andreas Behr and the Oaklins team in Germany have been an indispensable partner throughout the entire process. With their exceptional dedication, the team has played a vital role in navigating the complexities of this deal. We deeply appreciate their strategic guidance and substantial operational support. KURT JAHNCKE, SHAREHOLDER, PARADIESFRUCHT GMBH

Pacific Steel built its reputation through decades of hard work by many dedicated employees. I’m proud of the business we have built and believe that Varsteel is an excellent fit to help our company continue on its growth path. The team at Oaklins Heritage was with us every step of the way during the transaction. Their advice was invaluable throughout the process. JOE ANTEBI, PRESIDENT, PACIFIC STEEL, INC.

The Arculus founders have very much enjoyed working closely with the Oaklins Cavendish team throughout this process. Their understanding of the technology services and cyber security sector enabled us to showcase our business in the best possible light. Their insightful guidance was a constant, and we were highly impressed with the team’s capabilities and commitment which were instrumental in delivering the outcome we wanted. AUSTIN FRANCE, CO-FOUNDER, ARCULUS CYBER SECURITY

Oaklins accompanied us closely and with great commitment on the long road to this successful transaction. Its long-standing experience in such situations and extensive local and international network of contacts contributed significantly to the success. We were also very grateful during this very intensive period that a lot of things were taken off our hands so that we could still take care of the operational business. SPIROS LEKATSAS, FORMER OWNER, GLOBAL IT GROUP

The successful bond issue enables us to realize APF’s plans and increase our production capacity by approximately 60% over the coming years. We see a growing demand for eggs and egg products both in Latvia and across Europe, particularly for cage-free eggs, and we aim to swiftly implement our development plan to capitalize on this market trend. The involvement of CVI, a leading CEE investment management company, alongside two pension funds that invested during APF’s initial public offering, demonstrates the trust of financial market professionals in APF’s business model and aspirations. JURIJS ADAMOVIČS, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, APF HOLDINGS

We are thrilled to join Motorola Solutions and build upon their industry-leading portfolio while continuing to support our customers in the most challenging of environments. I would like to express our gratitude to the team at Oaklins Cavendish who provided invaluable counsel and a streamlined process throughout. PAUL ELSEY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SILENT SENTINEL

Rogan’s Shoes has been a family-owned business and a fixture of the towns and cities it serves for over five decades. We take great pride in the business we’ve built alongside hundreds of dedicated employees and our loyal customer base. We could not have entrusted our legacy to a better partner than Oaklins TM Capital. Their industry expertise, relationships and “roll-up-the-sleeves” work ethic perfectly matched our culture and were invaluable in making this transition work. We could not be more excited for the road ahead in partnership with Shoe Carnival. PAT ROGAN, CEO, ROGAN’S SHOES

We see significant space for consolidation and innovation in the automotive sector systems, from the first dealer and financing, through insurance and services to the transition, to another owner in a car dealership. We are excited to partner up with Kartesia and CVI, who will support our continuing expansion in this segment across Europe. JAKUB ŠULTA, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, EAG GROUP

Through taking end-to-end ownership of managing the financing process and showing a high degree of flexibility, Oaklins’ support in helping attract the right debt package for the transaction has been invaluable. TIJMEN HOES, INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, HC PARTNERS

It was a pleasure to work with the Oaklins Heritage team to advise our company in this transaction. Their staff of former executives of the industry and knowledge of service center operations led us to several opportunities. Their expertise and thoroughness helped our company navigate through the transaction process. We are very excited to join the Reliance family of companies and are looking forward to the continued growth opportunities for Cooksey Steel. We would not have completed this transaction without the contributions of the Oaklins Heritage team. MIKE AND TAYLOR COOKSEY, OWNERS, COOKSEY IRON & METAL COMPANY

This acquisition allows Unica to provide customers with complete fire protection services with even greater depth. Due to stricter laws and regulations, there is a growing demand for fire safety solutions. It is also attractive that Dräger’s fire & gas business unit is at the forefront of the digitalization of the business model, and is excellently positioned for further innovations and digital service models. This fits very well with Unica’s innovation strategy and digital focus. JOHN QUIST, CEO, UNICA

In our search for a financial sponsor to facilitate our growth strategy, we were facing major transaction issues we would have had difficulty in handling ourselves. Oaklins proved to be a valuable partner structuring the transaction process, providing required documentation and analysis. We would not advise any IT entrepreneurs to venture on such a process on their own. It is better to establish a dedicated project team covering all areas of expertise, working closely with the client. TERJE ANDERSEN, CEO, FORSE.NET AND FORSE MOBIL

We are particularly pleased with the outcome of the transaction, creating multiple synergies and benefits that will undoubtedly enhance our strategic position, and look forward to capitalizing on the new opportunities that lie ahead. Oaklins’ strategic guidance and unwavering commitment, combined with their deep industry knowledge, were instrumental in navigating the complexities and ensuring the success of this pivotal transaction. GIAN CARLO COLETTA, CEO, ATG EUROPE

We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Promens Zevenaar and Promens Rongu and the expansion of SAPA Group in the truck sector. This investment allows us to further consolidate our position as leaders in the sustainable mobility sector and to bring the One-Shot® method into the world of trucks. We are determined to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to our European and global customers, thus helping create a more eco-sustainable future for all. THE SAPA BOARD, SAPA S.P.A.

In Sӧderberg & Partners we have found a partner who sees the world the same way we do and the whole team at Fidelius is incredibly excited about the next phase of our journey. 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! JIM GRANT, CEO, FIDELIUS GROUP

EC’s strategic acquisition of Liad Electronics in the Netherlands represents an exciting opportunity to accelerate growth in mainland Europe. It is fantastic to have once again collaborated with the Oaklins Cavendish debt advisory team who quickly understood the EC platform and ensured the most appropriate debt financing solution was put in place. We are delighted to be partnering with Shawbrook Bank on this acquisition and we look forward to continuing our buy-and-build strategy. GUY NIEUWENHUYS, INVESTMENT MANAGER, ROCKPOOL INVESTMENTS

Founded over 50 years ago, Saco is a well-recognized, leading shelf-stable food business with a strong reputation for high-quality products. It was Benford Capital’s privilege to work alongside CEO Tom Walzer, the founding Sanna family and Saco’s management team over the last seven years of growth and success. Oaklins TM Capital was an important partner in articulating the Saco investment thesis to the market and in building the case for the company’s continued momentum with its category-leading brands. Oaklins TM Capital’s long-standing expertise in the food sector paired with their relationships in the investor community and process dedication helped to create a great outcome for the company and our investors. BEN RIEFE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BENFORD CAPITAL PARTNERS

We are very pleased to complete this disposal, which we genuinely believe is a great outcome for all parties. The team at Oaklins Evelyn Partners were a class act throughout the process. They clearly understand this sector and provided sound guidance, support and advice throughout. This led to a professional, streamlined process with a good level of competitive tension. We would strongly recommend Oaklins to anyone. PETER GORDON, M&A DIRECTOR, LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC

I am excited to remain at the helm of Hay House in partnership with our incredible team of employees, with the added support and resources of Penguin Random House who have been an essential partner through PRHPS for many years. It is wonderful that we will keep our independence and pursue our main mission, which is to help people around the world to improve their lives. REID TRACY, CEO, HAY HOUSE