Consumer
Action, which was established in 1993 in the Netherlands, is the fastest-growing non-food discounter in Europe with more than 2,300 stores across the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and Slovakia.
Large-scale procurement, flexible assortment, optimal distribution and a cost-conscious culture ensure good quality products at the lowest price. Action offers over 6,000 low-price, good quality products in fourteen categories. In Action's stores, customers can find well-known A-brands next to Action-owned brands and brands owned by Action's suppliers. Two-thirds of the assortment changes frequently, as Action introduces more than 150 new articles every week.
The product assortment includes decoration, DIY, garden and outdoor, household goods, multimedia, sports, stationery and hobby, toys and entertainment, food and drink, laundry and cleaning, personal care, pet, fashion and linen.
Action generates revenues of over €8bn per annum. Its business model differs from that of more traditional retailers because only 35% of its total product range is fixed. Action believes that it is possible to offer a surprising assortment at the lowest price, while improving the quality and sustainability of their products. The essence of Action: "small prices, big smiles".
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Benelux.
Industrial Technology
AES’s mechanical seals are used in a variety of pumps and rotating equipment worldwide to prevent liquids and gases escaping into the environment. A wide range of mechanical seal types are manufactured to suit different industries and the significant investment made in modular design means that AES provides the best on-time delivery performance in the industry. The AESSEAL® range of seals, seal support systems and bearing protectors are designed to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs of rotating equipment. The business is focused on giving customers such exceptional service that they need never consider alternative sources of supply.
"3i has been a great partner over nearly two decades. They understand what it takes to grow a great, international business; they both support us in that mission and challenge us to be the best we can." Chris Rea, OBE Founder and Managing Director
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc.
Services
arrivia is a global provider of technology-based B2B2C travel-based loyalty and reward solutions for organisations such as American Express, USAA and Diamond Resorts. The company has developed a network business model that enables leading brands to offer loyalty programmes that provide customers with unmatched value on all travel products (e.g. cruise, hotel, resort etc.) arrivia also partners with leading travel suppliers to generate incremental travel bookings from members of its loyalty programmes. arrivia employs over 2,300 staff and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with additional offices in Australia, the UK, Portugal, India, Mexico, New Zealand and the Philippines.
"Over the years, arrivia has built a very successful travel distribution company that has unique capabilities in the areas of membership, loyalty and revenue management. I believe the company has tremendous opportunities to capitalise on this foundation and innovate for the future. 3i has been a value-added partner with its experience in the travel industry and an impressive international network." Mike Nelson, CEO, arrivia
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Corporation.
Consumer
Audley Travel (“Audley”) is a leading provider of tailor-made experiential travel to over 80 destinations worldwide. Serving clients predominantly in the UK and US, Audley is renowned for its superior customer service and in-depth destination expertise delivered by its country specialists. This exceptional service drives customer loyalty leading to high levels of repeat customers and referrals. Founded in 1996, Audley is the clear market leader in tailor-made travel in the UK. The business expanded into the US in 2014 with the opening of an office in Boston that has grown rapidly and is now generating over 15% of total revenues.
"3i has been a great partner and shown unwavering support through the pandemic. Leveraging 3i’s deep travel sector expertise and global network, Audley has cemented its leading position in bespoke travel within the UK and built on its strong position in the US.” Nick Longman, CEO, Audley Travel
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc.
Consumer
Established in 1952, BoConcept is a leading Nordic design brand with dedicated distribution through dedicated BoConcept franchises around the world. BoConcept (literally translated from Danish "Living Concept") helps a wide range of customers to transform their home into a modern and extraordinary space fit to their style, through personal styling advice, great design at affordable prices and a high level of customisation. With an omni-channel offering through its ~300 stores in 67 countries across five continents, the homogenous brand concept of BoConcept is globally proven in metropoles around the world.
"BoConcept has a globally appealing customer proposition. I enjoy working with the management team and 3i to unlock the full potential of the company." Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae, Chair, BoConcept
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Benelux.
Healthcare
Cirtec Medical ("Cirtec") is a leading global provider of outsourced medical device and components design, engineering and manufacturing, headquartered in Minnesota. Cirtec specialises in outsourced solutions for active implantable medical devices. Customers rely on Cirtec’s expertise to provide value-add solutions throughout the entire development cycle to help bring life-enhancing therapies to market. The medical device outsourcing (MDO) market is expected to grow at a high single-digit rate over the next five years and Cirtec is strategically indexed to the most innovative therapeutic end-markets that are growing at a rate beyond the broader MDO industry.
"We look forward to partnering with 3i. We feel that their approach, sector understanding and international reach makes them the right partner to support the next stage of our growth." Brian Highley, CEO, Cirtec
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Corporation.
Services
Constellation is an IT Services consolidation platform specialising in hybrid cloud and cyber managed services.
Headquartered in Saint Cloud near Paris, Constellation services approximately 600 mid-sized and enterprise companies, allowing them to securely outsource the management of their IT infrastructure in all types of environments (public cloud, private cloud and on-premise).
Constellation acts as a single point of contact, offering a full suite of services in hybrid cloud and cyber managed services with 2-3 year contracts and high customer stickiness.
Our investment will enable Constellation to further accelerate its growth, both organically and through add-ons.
It fits perfectly in our areas of focus in IT Services, notably cloud and cyber which are the two fastest growing segments in the market. We will support Constellation in its next growth phase by leveraging our expertise in buy-and-build, and continue to support the group in its advocacy for circular IT and sustainability.
"3i’s expertise in IT Services and their extensive experience in supporting companies experiencing high growth make them an ideal partner for us. Constellation has significant opportunities to seize in its market and I am excited to welcome the team at 3i to execute on our growth strategy.” Etienne Besançon, Founder and CEO, Constellation
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Benelux.
Software, Industrial Technology
Digital Barriers is a revolutionary video technology provider that empowers individuals, organisations, and society with instant insights to make mission-critical decisions. Through its patented AI-based video codec and secure edge platform, Digital Barriers helps customers in various markets — including city law enforcement and public safety, industry, transportation, defence, events, retail, healthcare, and hospitality — unlock the full potential of real-time video.
For 10 years, the company has worked with governments, military, and specialist law enforcement in the defence sector alongside numerous public and private-sector clients. Its patented AI-based codec has been proven at scale — keeping troops safe in Afghanistan and Iraq, deploying across NATO, and securing presidential inaugurations, Olympic Games, and royal events.
Today, Digital Barriers partners with major global network operators, including Vodafone and AT&T, to deliver reliable real-time video over cellular and other transmission technologies that offer up to 90% bandwidth cost reduction without sacrificing quality in low-latency environments — ensuring its customers have a 360-degree view of their operations at all times.
“We are delighted to partner with 3i and benefit from its expertise and global reach as we expand our offering with new products, move towards a subscription-based model and broaden our customer base, whilst continuing to provide a highly differentiated product and market-leading technology. We have now made live video over cellular networks a reliable and affordable reality for the first time - working with 3i and our new channel partners we can take these disruptive solutions out much more widely.” Zak Doffman, CEO, Digital Barriers
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Investments plc.
Industrial Technology
Dynatect is a leading manufacturer of engineered, mission critical components that protect equipment.
Dynatect’s products are made from a variety of materials ranging from nylons to metals and are designed to protect and elongate the life of valuable equipment and protect workers near machinery. Products are low-cost yet critical, such as cable carriers or telescopic protective covers, and are sold into a large number of end-markets including automation, machine tools, construction, agriculture, transportation, medical and O&G.
The company is headquartered in Wisconsin, USA, and operates in four locations in the US and two locations in Europe.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Corporation.
Consumer
European Bakery Group, a leading bakery group specializing in bake-off bread and snack products, is headquartered in Tilburg and operates eleven bakeries across the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland. European Bakery Group offers a leading, innovative, and comprehensive assortment, which is produced sustainably and with natural ingredients. The bake-off market for bread and snack products is an attractive and growing market, with significant barriers to entry.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Benelux.
Services
Evernex maintains equipment that is critical for customers' business continuity, with full coverage of all equipment (servers, storage, and network) and all OEMs. With its global presence, Evernex maintains over 220,000 IT systems and is the clear leader in Europe, Latin America, and MEA and has an increasing presence in North America.
Evernex acts as a single point of contact to address complex issues for its customers, combining strong technological capabilities with the ability to ensure quality of service anywhere across the globe.
Today, Evernex is a leading consolidation platform benefitting from a fragmented and highly resilient market.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i France.
Industrial Technology, Services
Formel D is a leading global service provider to the automotive and component supply industry, offering quality assurance and process optimization along the entire value chain - from development to production through to aftersales.
The company offers a wide range of testing and inspection services for individual parts, systems, and vehicles to major OEMs and suppliers. Formel D was founded in 1993 and has over 9,000 employees at 80 facilities in 22 countries worldwide.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Germany.
Services
JMJ is a US-headquartered, leading cultural transformation firm, focused on improving safety, sustainability, and performance. JMJ supports executives and front-line workers at companies with complex capital programmes and ongoing operations across diverse industries on a global basis.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Corporation.
Consumer
Konges Sløjd is a fast-growing premium international lifestyle brand offering apparel and everyday products for babies and children. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Konges Sløjd designs and markets high-quality children’s clothing, accessories, home products, and toys through a curated network of (online-) retailers and direct-to-consumer e-commerce in more than 50 countries.
The business has been a forerunner in the premium baby/child segment through its stylish, functional, safe, durable, sustainable, and affordable products across all children categories, and is well positioned to accelerate its growth across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Benelux.
Consumer
Luqom Group is the #1 vertically-integrated online retailer of lighting products in Europe. It is headquartered in Germany, from where it distributes own-brand and third party products to customers all over Europe through 27 country-specific online shops.
Luqom Group differentiates itself from its competitors through an extensive range of 50,000 products, broad and differentiated product assortment, in-depth product knowledge, excellent customer service and high product availability. Luqom has grown strongly in the DACH region as well as internationally, through a steady roll-out across European countries in recent years.
“We are proud to be part of the 3i portfolio as they share our passion for lighting and smart home innovations. 3i has been a great partner in our ambitious buy & build strategy to increase international market presence by providing us with valuable operational expertise as well as a highly professional network. Moreover, with their profound knowledge, especially in private label strategy, branding and operations, 3i strongly supports us to continue to grow efficiently in the future.” Vanessa Stützle, CEO, Luqom Group
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Germany.
Software, Services
MAIT Group is a leading provider of innovative and pioneering digital solutions in the DACH region. Headquartered in Rottweil, Germany, MAIT focuses on software and hardware in product lifecycle management (“PLM”), enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) and IT services generating approx. €150m in sales per annum.
The business develops and implements solutions in close cooperation with their over 6,000 SME customers. As a strategic implementation partner, MAIT uses the most innovative technologies from market-leading PLM, ERP and IT providers such as Siemens, PTC, SAP-PLM, abas, Comarch, HP and Fujitsu.
"3i has been a great partner for MAIT’s growth, particularly in supporting our M&A strategy. 3i has a strong track record in the IT services sector and heritage in the DACH region. In addition, the 3i team has an impressive international network which has been very valuable to MAIT." Stefan Niehusmann, CEO, MAIT
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Germany.