DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT | OX8 CORPORATE FINANCE EXCLUSIVELY ADVISES THE SHAREHOLDERS OF GLEICH GROUP, VI2VI GROUP AND SCHMID ALARM GMBH ON THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GARDA HOLDING
Aschaffenburg/ Durmersheim/ Stockdorf/ Frankfurt, 28 June 2024
ox8 Corporate Finance acted as exclusive sell-side M&A advisor to the shareholders of Gleich Group, vi2vi Group and Schmid Alarm GmbH on the merger and entry into a strategic partnership with Garda Holding – a portfolio company of private equity investor EMK.
The four medium-sized companies from the security technology sector, the Gleich Group from Aschaffenburg, the vi2vi Group from Durmersheim near Karlsruhe, Schmid Alarm GmbH from Stockdorf near Munich and the Freihoff Group from Langenfeld, have joined forces. As a group of companies, they have thus become one of the largest security service providers in Germany and cover 360 degrees of security technology. Garda Holding was chosen as a partner to accompany its continuous growth.
The Gleich Group, the vi2vi Group, Schmid Alarm GmbH and the Freihoff Group have already worked together on major customer projects in the past, complementing each other with their respective expertise. The merger to form a joint group is the next step in the further development of the medium-sized players, each of which has grown strongly in recent years. The companies will remain on the market with their own brands but will operate as a group of companies. As a group, they will jointly implement complex security technology projects for customers throughout Germany and Europe, enabling them to be even more competitive.
“Due to the strategic merger of our companies, we now offer customers a broad portfolio from the entire value chain from a single source: Consulting, planning, implementation and services for IT-oriented security technology such as access management, video management and hazard management systems,” says Uwe Gleich, Managing Director of the Gleich Group. “With this 360-degree approach, we are now able to implement supra-regional and complex enterprise projects and expand our customer base, particularly in the area of critical infrastructure (KRITIS).“
The group of companies is also pooling its expertise in overarching topics such as marketing, recruiting, finance, quality management and personnel development. “The new group of companies will make us even more attractive for our long-standing employees and future colleagues,” says Tobias Schmid, Managing Director of Schmid Alarm GmbH. “For instance, we are planning our own training academy and want to provide colleagues with cross-company qualifications. This will enable us to offer them even better development and promotion prospects.“
In order to further drive the growth of the new group of companies, the managing directors of the Gleich Group, the vi2vi Group and Schmid Alarm have decided to work with a growth partner. “During our lookout, it was important to us that the new partner shared the values of our group of companies – trust, quality and flexibility,” says Mathias Bechler, Managing Director of the vi2vi Group. “We therefore spent over a year looking together for the right partner for our group of companies and held intensive discussions and workshops. We are now delighted to have a strong partner from the security industry on board with Garda Holding, which belongs to EMK Capital.”
The Freihoff Group has been part of Garda Holding since April 2024. The Freihoff Group, Gleich Group, vi2vi Group and Schmid Alarm are now under the umbrella of Garda Holding.
About Gleich Group (www.gleich-gmbh.com, www.it-ot-security.de)
The Gleich Group from Aschaffenburg specializes in consulting, planning, implementation and support of complex security projects with a focus on IT-oriented security technology. The portfolio of the company group with 150 employees includes security and media technology, hazard management systems as well as IT/OT security and information security management systems (ISMS). Gleich GmbH is responsible for the realization of security technology in periphery-intensive projects with its experience and personnel strength. Heer GmbH focuses on the implementation and modernization of complex IT-based hazard, video and access management systems. Gleich IT Service GmbH networks and monitors the entire OT/IT system architecture with a view to the challenges of cyber security. By implementing all the aforementioned areas, the Gleich Group provides its customers with comprehensive protection against external threats. With the comprehensive expertise of the Gleich Group, project success can be planned.
About vi2vi Group (www.vi2vi-retail-solution.com, www.vi2vi-gms.com, www.vi2vi-gms.ch)
The vi2vi Group has been offering advanced software solutions for over 20 years and has become the world’s leading IT specialist in the security industry through its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. From security control systems to video management solutions for critical infrastructure, global enterprises, large retail chains, sprawling industrial complexes and more, the vi2vi Group ensures that the optimal solution is always provided for every security need. Based in the technology region of Karlsruhe and with over 150 employees in Germany and Switzerland, the vi2vi Group is active in over 40 countries.
About Schmid Alarm GmbH (www.schmid-alarm.de)
Schmid Alarm GmbH, based in Stockdorf near Munich, is an owner-operated family business that has specialized in electronic security systems for around 50 years. With 50 employees, the company’s customers come from a variety of sectors, including the military and education, administration and finance, as well as high-end private real estate.
About Freihoff Group (www.freihoff-gruppe.de)
The Freihoff Group is a leading provider of electronic security solutions with nationwide coverage throughout Germany. The Freihoff Group offers a comprehensive portfolio that includes intrusion and fire alarm systems, video surveillance, perimeter security, voice alarm systems and digital access control systems, and also operates its own alarm receiving center. A full-service provider covering the entire value chain from planning and installation to maintenance/repair and 24/7 remote monitoring services. The Freihoff Group has a turnover of around 40 million euros and around 300 employees.
About Garda Holding (www.gardasikring.no)
Garda Holding was formed in 2023 through the merger of Garda Sikring, Great Security, Heda Security, KIBO Sikring and Windsor Door. Through these five simultaneous acquisitions financed by the private equity company EMK, the Group has become a leading company in the perimeter and technical security sector in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The Group provides installation, service and maintenance for a wide range of mission-critical products and services within perimeter and mechanical security, technical security, traffic safety and industrial doors. EMK Capital acquired a majority stake in the Group in June 2023 to further develop the service and product offering and accelerate geographic expansion, with key management shareholders jointly reinvesting.
About EMK Capital (www.emkcapital.com)
EMK Capital is a private equity firm founded by Edmund Lazarus (previously Managing Partner of Bregal Capital) and Mark Joseph (previously Founder and Partner of Oakley Capital) to continue their exceptional track record of investing in European and international mid-market companies. Over the last ~20 years Edmund and Mark have led various investments, growing EBITDA at >25% CAGR on average across all realized investments and following an extensive add-on strategy. EMK has a track record of success in growing sector champions throughout the phases of their development. EMK is currently investing from its €1.6bn Fund II as well as its €3.0bn Fund III and operates from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Paris and Singapore.
About ox8 Corporate Finance (www.ox8-cf.com)
ox8 Corporate Finance is an independent corporate finance boutique founded in 2018 by experienced M&A specialists. Corporate finance advisory services are offered with a focus on M&A as well as Growth Capital in the Software/ Saas, Digital Commerce, Technology/ IT services and Healthcare sectors. The team has an excellent international network to financial investors and strategic buyers. ox8 Corporate Finance has offices in Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg.
