with the new shareholder we are now on our way to become Europe's market leader in IP-based corporate communications

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

Private equity investor Waterland has acquired Swyx Solutions, a pan-European manufacturer of unified communications solutions for medium-sized companies. As a result the deal will enable Waterland to strengthen its software and IT portfolio and for Swyx it will open new opportunities for European expansion.

Swyx is a leading manufacturer and developer of software solutions that not only offer companies the complete functionality of PBXs, but also optimise communication and accelerate business processes. Swyx integrates and links all communication channels such as telephony, messaging, video and e-mail with business-relevant process applications. The solution can be operated at the customer's site, from a partner cloud or based on Swyx's own cloud service SwyxON.

Growing internationally with Waterland

“In 1999, we started to make the classic telephone system superfluous - and at the same time enable companies to communicate more efficiently and make their processes more productive. One year before our 20th anniversary, with the new shareholder we are now on our way to become Europe's market leader in IP-based corporate communications," says Dr. Ralf Ebbinghaus, CEO and co-founder of the Dortmund-based company with offices in the UK and France.

The advantages of Swyx’s unified communications are already being enjoyed today by almost one million users in 24 countries, who are supported by over 1,200 authorised local specialist trade partners.
 
Solutions from a medium-sized company suited for medium-sized businesses

With its solutions, Swyx concentrates on the midmarket and offers the award-winning software solution SwyxON as its own cloud service. The company is thus increasingly focusing on the growing demand for cloud solutions with its international share of sales currently around 10 percent. “Outside Germany, Swyx has great growth potential," says Dr. Ralf Ebbinghaus. "Together with Waterland, we will now be able to exploit this potential."

Partner with extensive IT expertise

Waterland is already successfully managing various companies from the IT sector in its portfolio, such as the internationally operating Hanse Orga Group (financial software) and the Intelligent Group in the Netherlands, which specialises in hosting. “With Waterland, we want to breathe new life into this experienced investor's buy & build strategy and further expand our dynamic organic growth in recent years, and become the leading European brand for IP communications. The team is looking forward to new markets and customers," says Ebbinghaus, explaining expectations following the signing ceremony on the 12th of January 2018.

This is confirmed by Partner at Waterland, Dr. Carsten Rahlfs: "The investment in Swyx is a perfect fit for our strategy of investing in fast-growing, high-quality companies that want to take and expand leading market positions.”

In the acquisition process, Swyx was exclusively advised by Q Advisors, a global investment banking boutique in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) segment, based in Denver and San Francisco.
 
About Swyx

Swyx your business.

Swyx Solutions AG develops software-based communication solutions for the requirements of medium-sized companies. A range of suitable phones and other hardware devices complete the product portfolio. With Swyx, users benefit from all the advantages of optimally networked communication: they can increase accessibility, improve processes and ultimately increase productivity. Founded in 1999, as a pioneer in the field of IP communications, the company is now the European market leader in this field. With a two-tier distribution model and more than 1,200 authorised dealers, Swyx is present in 24 countries worldwide. The award-winning Unified Communications specialist headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, and with locations in the UK and France, offers both in-house communications solutions and cloud-based variants together with its partners. Currently, more than 150 employees are committed to ensuring that Swyx continues to be one of the technology and innovation leaders in the IP communications market.

About Waterland

Waterland is an independent private equity investment group that supports companies in realizing their growth ambitions. With substantial financial resources and committed industry expertise, Waterland enables its portfolio companies to achieve accelerated growth both organically and through acquisitions. Waterland has offices in the Netherlands (Bussum), Belgium (Antwerp), Germany (Munich, Hamburg), Poland (Warsaw), United Kingdom (Manchester) and Denmark (Copenhagen) and currently manages 6 billion euros of investor commitments.

Alongside Swyx Solutions, Waterland has invested in other companies in the IT sector and has substantial experience there. The focus of the Waterland strategy is on “Buy & Build” growth.

Since its founding in 1999, Waterland has consistently achieved a high, above-average performance with its investments and has regularly been among the top 3 of the world's leading private equity firms in the past HEC/Dow Jones Private Equity Performance Rankings compiled by Prof. Gottschalg of the HEC Paris Business School. In the current ranking from December 2017 Waterland occupies second place. In addition, Waterland has also been among the top 3 most consistent buyout fund managers worldwide in the "Preqin Consistent Performers in Global Private Equity & Venture Capital Report" in recent years.

Press Contact: Jane Moores, TTA Communications Ltd, 01225 580214, email: jane.moores@ttacomms.co.uk