PubliGroupe moves forward with internationalization
Acquisition of leading Dutch marketing and media services company.
PubliGroupe, a leading sales organization for commercial communication in Switzerland, is acquiring the Dutch marketing and media services company Schreiner & Van Bokkel Group B.V. (S&VB). PubliGroupe holds 98% of the capital, while the remaining 2% remains in the hands of management. This acquisition strengthens PubliGroupe’s international position in the growing marketing services market. Thanks to the integration of S&VB, PubliGroupe can now expand its range of services, especially digital and electronic ones, in line with its newly formulated strategy. S&VB has a strong earnings position and handles a billing volume equivalent to around CHF 190 million. It will become part of PubliGroupe’s growth-oriented 'Digital & Marketing Services' division, which also includes e-business solutions company namics and international online marketing services provider zanox.
PubliGroupe’s foreign sales will increase significantly as a result of this takeover, and will therefore make a substantial contribution to PubliGroupe’s operating earnings (EBIT) outside Switzerland. Building on S&VB’s innovative business model, PubliGroupe intends to grow further in the 'Digital & Marketing Services' area by means of targeted acquisitions in selected foreign markets. PubliGroupe CEO Hans-Peter Rohner commented as follows on the acquisition of the S&VB Group: “Following the successful expansion of our online services business through the purchase with Axel Springer of the zanox Group, which is active in 30 countries, this latest acquisition marks another significant step in the implementation of our strategy of focusing PubliGroupe’s marketing services on changing market needs”.
S&VB has 90 employees and is one of the Netherlands’ major consultancy and services companies for planning and marketing printed, electronic, digital and outdoor media. It has a strong position in the middle customer segment, with a client list of around 800 SMEs. However, S&VB also works for several global brands including Toyota, Lexus, Hennes & Mauritz and Suzuki. In recent years S&VB has greatly expanded its portfolio of digital and interactive media, which makes it particularly attractive for PubliGroupe.
S&VB previously belonged to the M&M Media Group, which is selling the company for strategic reasons. By contrast, S&VB and its strong focus on SMEs is an ideal fit for PubliGroupe, which also has a strong position in the middle customer segment. The acquisition of S&VB will allow PubliGroupe to expand its marketing services portfolio for advertising customers and agencies in a very attractive way, enabling them to make their marketing activities even more efficient across all types of media.
For further information:
PubliGroupe Ltd.
Hans-Peter Rohner, CEO
Tel.: + 41 21 317 72 02
Fax: + 41 21 317 72 22
e-mail: hprohner(at)publigroupe.com
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