Assen, February 22, 2021 - BauWatch, the market leader in construction site security, is changing ownership to the German strategic investor Haniel. To this end, all parties involved have signed a purchase agreement. This acquisition enables BauWatch to further accelerate and expand its international growth. Together with current investor Nordian Capital, BauWatch managed to quadruple its turnover in the past five years. Details on the acquisition price will not be disclosed.
BauWatch* was founded in 2009 as an innovation during the construction crisis in The Netherlands at that time. The costs and effectiveness of physical construction site security were the reasons for developing a system for detecting and signaling burglary on construction sites by means of camera masts and smart software. In 2016, Nordian Capital acquired BauWatch in order to optimally serve the rapidly growing demand. Through acquisitions BauWatch succeeded in integrating the entire chain of software, hardware, control room and live registration. During this period BauWatch also managed to break open the German and Belgian market and expanded its service package with access control for the construction site.
Maarten de Roos, CEO BauWatch: “This is an important step for BauWatch in our growth strategy. We have always set up and implemented our plans in a very disciplined manner. Under Nordian we have grown rapidly and we had all the freedom and opportunity to do business in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. We are now on the verge of further growth to the UK, France and Eastern Europe. This matches with an internationally experienced, long-term partner. And that is exactly what Haniel intends to be to us.”
Joost Verbeek, managing partner at Nordian: “BauWatch was and is a gem of a company with enormous growth potential. The management has achieved a great performance here. With its steps abroad, with a successful expansion of the service package - and through four successful acquisitions. BauWatch is ready for the next growth phase. It is therefore a great time to find a new shareholder who can support the company in yet another growth phase.”
Stefan Zobel, investment partner at Haniel: “We are very excited about the acquisition of BauWatch, as it is the leading platform with a particularly strong management team in a fast-growing market. It fits Haniel perfectly as a long-term owner. For us, BauWatch is the ideal basis to build a European champion in temporary remote surveillance services. We aim to make substantial investments in the business to drive growth in the core markets and beyond, with additional acquisitions where possible. ”
The combination of detection software, easy-to-install camera masts and smooth cooperation between control room and police forces using video images is extremely effective. In the Netherlands alone, almost 400 burglars were caught red-handed in 2020 and prevented theft and destruction of valuable construction sites. Other fields of application of BauWatch include open storage areas and industrial areas, parking lots and recycling areas.
About BauWatch
BauWatch (BauWatch.de) has been offering a complete range of temporary security solutions since 2010. BauWatch is a young and fast growing organization that takes the care for all temporary security out of the hands of customers throughout Europe. As a true service provider, BauWatch stands for quality and customer satisfaction. Our people work throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK.
About Nordian Capital
Nordian Capital (nordian.nl) is an independent Dutch private equity investor, focused on increasing and accelerating the growth of companies. Founded in 2014, Nordian has now contributed to more than 30 companies as a critical and committed investment partner. Nordian Capital offers proactive support in the areas of strategy, financing or mergers & acquisitions. In addition, Nordian does not take the management seat, so that the entrepreneurs can continue to do what they do best: doing business.
About Haniel
Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH (haniel.de/en) is a 100 percent family business, with headquarters in Duisburg. It was founded in 1756. It manages a portfolio of independent companies with the aim of making all investments ’enkelfähig’ (i.e. futureproof) and creating value for generations. To this end, it pursues a structured investment strategy along the three pillars “People. Planet. Progress ", with a strict focus on sustainability and performance.