Next cross-border logistics software transaction by Proventis Partners

Next cross-border logistics software transaction by Proventis Partners Advisory services to Kratzer Automation AG on the carve-out and sale of the TMS software cadis® as part of an asset deal to the Canadian software investor Valsoft Corporation.

Munich, 2. February 2022 – Kratzer Automation AG, a global provider of software for the logistics industry and test systems for the automotive industry, has decided to sell its LOGISTICS AUTOMATION software division as part of a strategic refocusing. With cadis®, a Transport Management System Software (TMS), Kratzer Automation has been serving international logistics customers for more than 25 years. In addition to classic route optimization, the premium segment software also offers yard management and terminal handling functionalities. The tracking of the cold chain, which is necessary for the transport of vaccines, has already been integrated into the software since 2015.

In the sales process supported by Proventis Partners as M&A advisor, the LOGISTICS AUTOMATION division was sold to Valsoft Corporation (Canada) as part of an asset deal. In the course of the carve out, the LOGISTICS AUTOMATION division, developer of the cadis® software, was transferred to a new legal entity, which will operate under the name of Cadis GmbH in the future and is a 100% subsidiary of Valsoft. After accompanying the sale of Portrix Logistic Software GmbH to the Canadian Descartes Systems Group, Inc., it is the second successfully closed logistics software transaction by Proventis Partners.

For Valsoft, a Canadian based entity focused on vertical market software, this acquisition represents the second TMS company in their portfolio. Cadis GmbH will continue to operate independently. The company will grow primarily in German-speaking countries but also internationally. With its new cloud-based and modular software suite, cadis® can now also serve smaller logistics companies. In the logistics market, which has only a low digitization rate compared to the rest of the industry, there is high growth potential especially in the area of mission-critical software, which includes TMS software.

The role of Proventis Partners

Proventis Partners acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Kratzer and supported the client throughout the entire sales transaction. In addition to the implementation of a structured sales process, the consulting services included the preparation of marketing and transaction documents, identification and approaching of potential investors including management presentations as well as support in the due diligence and negotiation of the transaction. The transaction team of Proventis Partners consisted of Jan Pörschmann (Partner, Munich), Florian Liepert (Director, Munich) and Andreas König (Senior Associate, Munich).

About Kratzer Automation AG

As an internationally operating key player and premium supplier, Kratzer Automation focuses on the business areas TEST SYSTEMS and LOGISTICS AUTOMATION. The company offers customers from the automotive industry (TEST SYSTEMS) and the logistics industry (LOGISTICS AUTOMATION) sophisticated software products and complete system solutions. The company is headquartered in Unterschleissheim near Munich and has offices in France, Great Britain and China. Further information is available at https://www.kratzer-automation.com/de/

About Valsoft

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Valsoft focuses on acquiring and growing software verticals that provide business-critical solutions in their respective niche or market. Through its buy-and-hold strategy, Valsoft acquires software companies at different stages of their business. For further information please visit https://www.valsoftcorp.com/

About Proventis Partners

Proventis Partners is a partner-managed M&A advisory firm whose clients include a majority of medium-sized family-owned companies, group subsidiaries as well as private equity funds. With more than 30 M&A advisors, Proventis Partners is one of the largest independent M&A advisors in the German-speaking region and looks back on 20 years of M&A experience and more than 300 completed transactions. The M&A consultants with offices in Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich and Zurich are active in the sectors Industrials & Chemicals, Business Services, Consumer & Retail, TMT, Healthcare and Energy & Sustainability. The exclusive membership in Mergers Alliance – an international partnership of leading M&A specialists – enables Proventis Partners to support clients in 30 countries in the most important markets worldwide. The members of Mergers Alliance, with over 200 M&A professionals, provide Proventis Partners and thus its clients with unique access to local markets in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa.