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Accelerate business growth through strategic M&A

Acquiring a company is a powerful strategy for accelerating business growth. It enables rapid expansion, entry into new markets or regions, and the scaling of business operations. Acquiring a company with complementary products, services, or expertise can diversify revenue streams and mitigate risks. Mergers can create operational efficiencies, reduce overheads, and improve profitability, while acquisitions provide access to valuable talent, intellectual property, and innovative technologies to strengthen your competitive edge. As an experienced and trusted partner, Victanis offer comprehensive support at every stage of the acquisition process, ensuring a smooth and successful transaction.

Victanis expertise in M&A transactions

Victanis offers exceptional expertise in mergers and acquisitions, with a strong focus on European cross-border transactions. Our deep industry and market knowledge across our sectors allows us to identify opportunities and risks specific to your business environment. What sets us apart is the extensive experience of our senior advisors, who bring decades of hands-on M&A experience guiding transactions from start to finish. Our team’s specialised understanding of intracultural dynamics within multiple European markets ensures smoother negotiations, enhanced communication, and seamless integration, especially in cross-border deals. We navigate the nuanced commercial, legal, and cultural landscapes to provide strategic insights that drive successful acquisition processes. By partnering with us, you gain access to professionals with the seasoned knowledge needed to execute transactions that align with your business goals whilst ensuring growth and value creation.

Expert and Experienced: Achieving Success with our Senior Industry Experts

Our team consists of seasoned professionals with deep industry networks and sector-specific expertise, ensuring every project is backed by strategic insight and returns of experience.

Local footprint: Leveraging our In-Depth Cultural and Market Knowledge

With extensive knowledge of the countries and cultures we operate in, we succeed in matching the unique dynamics of each market and business case and in delivering seamless and respectful cross-border projects.

Professional and Hands-On: Relying on executable strategies

We offer a hands-on, project-driven approach to strategy and M&A, specializing in cross-border transactions with a focus on delivering tangible results through tailored, detail-oriented execution.

Success story

Socotec : Acquisition of a German IT Certification specialist company

Challenges

Socotec, a prominent French global player in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC), sought to expand its footprint in the German market.

To achieve this objective, they enlisted the expertise of Victanis, renowned for its proficiency in the TIC sector and its strategic focus on Central Europe, particularly Germany, France, and the UK. Victanis was tasked with identifying suitable German target companies that met Socotec's criteria and market positioning, and managing the acquisition process through to completion.

Approach

Victanis commenced with an in-depth analysis of Socotec's strategy, outlining the criteria for potential target companies. This analysis facilitated the creation of a comprehensive list of potential German companies. Collaborating closely with Socotec, Victanis narrowed this long list to a short list of suitabel targets.
Victanis then initiated contact with these target companies, managing preliminary discussions to gauge mutual interest. Throughout the subsequent phases, from Letter of Intent (LOI) negotiations to Due Diligence and legal Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) negotiations, Victanis provided continuous support as M&A Advisor, ensuring alignment between sellers' expectations and buyers' requirements.

Results

Victanis expertly managed the entire acquisition process, from identifying and engaging with target companies to overseeing the final closing. This strategic support enabled Socotec to successfully acquire Fox Certification, a German IT Certification specialist, in 2024.

This reference highlights Victanis' comprehensive approach and successful execution in supporting Socotec’s expansion into the German market, underscoring their capability to manage complex M&A processes effectively.

Success story

COTECNA : One of the world’s leading trade inspection, security and certification companies. Among other services, it provides Testing and Inspection services in the areas of commodities such as minerals, metals and agri-food products.

Challenges

Cotecna has developed a strong testing and inspection capability in countries producing mineral and agricultural commodities in Asia and South America in particular.

Cotecna now wants to develop a similar capacity in Europe to improve the quality control, the safety and traceability of products between the producer and the final customer / consumer.

Approach

Initially, Victanis conducted a comprehensive screening and analysis of potential acquisition targets as the European market for testing and inspection is mature and governed by a set of European and national standards which does not allow to adopt an organic growth strategy.

Victanis then assisted our client with the approach of a narrow list of carefully selected targets operating in 6 different countries in Europe.

Results

The proposed approach has positioned our client as a new and highly credible alternative buyer in Europe and has resulted in the acquisition of a leading Dutch testing laboratory specialised in agri-food products.

Success story

Lyophitech

Challenges

Founded in 2017, Lyophitech is a French pioneer in the breakthrough technology of dynamic freeze-drying (lyophilization). The Company designs and manufactures machines for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Traditional industrial processes rely on heavy and expensive static freeze-drying equipment. After successfully selling its first machines, Lyophitech fcaed the challenge of establishing its dynamic approach as the industry standard and capturing a significant share of the lyophilization market, where high-quality freeze-drying is essential.

Approach

Victanis was engaged by MBCI Industries to support its acquisition of Lyophitech shares so that MBCI could provide financial backing and sector-specific expertise.
The objective was to strengthen the management team and accelerate the company’s development.
Victanis managed discussions and negotiations with various stakeholders in Lyophitech (including M&A sell-side advisors and angel investors) to facilitate MBCI Industries' acquisition of a majority stake in the company.

Results

MBCI Industries is now the majority shareholder of Lyophitech. As a result, the company has renewed its leadership team, bringing in experienced managers and engineers. An ambitious new business plan has been put in place.

The company's goal is now to drive growth by substituting traditional static freeze-drying processes with its dynamic technology, positioning Lyophitech as an industry leader.

Recognised sector expertise for over 15 years

Our consultancy is recognised as a major player in strategic consulting for the design and execution of growth operations in European economies, and aspires to become a key player in its 8 chosen sectors.