EPSA completes acquisition of Netherlands-based AB&C Group
The acquisition of Dutch consulting group AB&C by global player EPSA is a fact. Announced last month, the deal has now successfully closed.
On June 15, EPSA unveiled it had signed a purchase agreement with AB&C – the parent of two Dutch consulting groups: Aeves Group (procurement) and Boer & Croon (management consulting). AB&C has over 500 staff generating revenues to the tune of €150 million.
The acquisition of AB&C strengthens EPSA’s presence in the Benelux region, and adds to its existing footprint in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain, as well as the US and China. EPSA now has over 2,000 consultants and staff.
AB&C Groep was formed in May 2022 when Aeves Group acquired Boer & Croon. The labels under Aeves Group provide end-to-end services in the procurement landscape, from consulting and staffing, through to executive search and managed services. Boer & Croon provides management consulting, interim and young professional staffing services.
Commenting on the deal closing, Matthieu Gufflet, President and founder of EPSA said: “This acquisition represents a significant step in our internationalisation strategy, and we are delighted to welcome new entrepreneurs who will contribute to the future success of our adventure.”
Sherief Abdalla, CEO of AB&C Group added: “This collaboration will allow us to accelerate our internationalisation ambitions, making the complementarity with EPSA an excellent opportunity from this perspective. We also share the same entrepreneurial culture, which will expedite synergies between our two groups.”
The transaction was financed by debt and an additional equity investment from EPSA’s existing financial investors (TowerBrook, Raise and Capza), and new financial investors (Tikehau Capital, Bpifrance and Crédit Mutuel Equity).
EPSA was BNP Paribas (deal support), Roland Berger (commercial diligence), KPMG (financial diligence), and Lexence (legal). AB&C Group was advised by Lincoln International (corporate finance), while Investor TowerBrook received guidance from 1602 Capital (deal support).