Binder Grösswang advises ARDIAN portfolio company Gantner in the acquisition of Syx Automations

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (Frankfurt) and Binder Grösswang advise Gantner Electronic Austria Holding GmbH in the acquisition of Syx Automations NV.

Gantner Electronic Austria Holding GmbH („Gantner”) is a high-tech company specializing in electronic access control, billing and intelligent lock solutions.

Syx Automations NV („Syx Automations”) is the market leader in the field of ticketing and leisure facility management solutions in the Benelux region.

The deal was completed on June 16, 2017, and was facilitated with the support of Ardian (former AXA Private Equity), a leading independent investment company that has been the majority shareholder at Gantner since February 2016. The shares in Syx Automations were acquired from the Sofindev III fund, managed by Sofindev Management SA of Belgium, and the company’s own management. Under the leadership of CEO Dirk Syx, current management will remain at the helm while also taking a minority stake in the new group. The parties agreed not to disclose any further details of the transaction.

The strategic and transformational merger of Gantner and Syx Automations creates a globally operating integrated provider of comprehensive access, billing, and management systems for sport facilities, leisure centers, and visitor attractions. The tie-up will enable both companies to tap wide-ranging synergies and to realise their potential for further international growth. Customers will be offered holistic solutions consisting of a wide range of solutions integrated into a uniform software management system. In fiscal 2017, the two companies are expecting aggregate sales revenues of some €50m.

Advisors to the Transaction

The Binder Grösswang team comprised lead partner Thomas Schirmer, Hermann Schneeweiss (attorney at law) and Cordelia Klauhs (associate, all corporate/M&A), Christian Wimpissinger (partner tax) und Clemens Willvonseder (attorney at law tax).

International Lead Counsel was Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Frankfurt under lead partner Maximilian Schwab (Corporate/Private Equity, Frankfurt) and partners Mario Schmidt (Corporate/Private Equity, Frankfurt), Didier Willermain, Jean-Quentin De Cuyper (both Corporate, Brüssel) and Jan Wilms (Finance, Frankfurt).