Semantix – the Nordic region’s largest language company, with around 300 employees – is gaining a new owner in the form of investment fund Segulah V L.P., which will acquire the company from its previous majority owner, Litorina Kapital III L.P., and minority owners. The operational shareholders of Semantix’s management team will remain as owners post the transaction.
Semantix is the Nordic region’s leading supplier of translation and interpreting services, with customers within both the private sector and the public sector. The group has a turnover of approximately SEK 600 million, and twelve offices in Sweden, Finland and Norway. It has a total of approximately 300 internal employees, and makes payments to around 3,000 freelance language consultants each month.
“Under Litorina’s ownership since December 2009, the company has strengthened its leading Nordic position, including by developing its service offering, focusing on its customers, investing in systems and reinforcing the organisation, as well as through a number of additional acquisitions,” says Lars Verneholt, Partner at Litorina Capital Advisors AB, investment advisors to the Litorina Kapital III fund. “Since being acquired by Litorina, Semantix’s turnover has risen from around SEK 300 million to approximately SEK 600 million, with a stable profit margin. Today, Semantix represents a strong platform for profitable future growth, and we see good opportunities for the company to continue its positive development under Segulah’s ownership.”
“Semantix has been on an impressive journey in recent years,” adds Henrik Lif, Managing Partner at Segulah Advisor AB. “The combination of the company’s successful sales and its focus on technology has resulted in an excellent platform for further growth. We now look forward to taking the next step on this journey of development together with the company, which will include both acquisitions and continued organic growth.”
“We are delighted to be gaining such a strong, highly qualified owner as Segulah,” says Anders Uddfors, CEO at Semantix. “They have the experience and the knowledge required in order to support us in our continued journey of growth in the fragmented language industry. We will now continue with our focus on using technology and efficient processes to enhance quality for our customers in a cost-effective manner.”
The deal is expected to be completed in July, and is conditional on the approval of the Swedish Competition Authority.
For more information, please contact
Anders Uddfors, CEO of Semantix, +46 (0)703 774804
Semantix is the Nordic region’s leading supplier of translation and interpreting services, with more than 40 years of combined experience. Its customers include large and small companies and authorities within most industries. Semantix has an annual turnover of approximately SEK 600 million, and is quality certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2008. The group has twelve offices in Sweden, Finland and Norway. It has a total of approximately 300 internal employees, and makes payments to around 3,000 freelance language consultants each month.
www.semantix.se.
Litorina, founded in 1998, focuses on acquiring and industrially developing primarily Swedish companies together with their management. Litorina offers broad and deep expertise both via its own organisation and through its network of industrial advisors. Litorina is backed by a number of long-term, reputable institutions that have jointly invested approximately SEK 4.8 billion in Litorina’s four funds.
www.litorina.se.
Segulah, founded in 1994, is a private equity firm that focuses on buyouts of medium-sized Nordic companies. Its business model is based on majority ownership and the active engagement of industrial advisors with industry expertise. Segulah currently manages approximately SEK 8 billion, mainly from international pension funds, endowments and private family foundations. Segulah is a medium-term owner with a goal of creating change and sustainable value over a period of five to seven years. Segulah aims to make portfolio companies more profitable, for example by broadening their operations and through geographic expansion and acquisitions. Segulah Advisor AB is the exclusive investment advisor to British funds Segulah III L.P., Segulah IV L.P. and Segulah V L.P.
www.segulah.se
