Proventis Partners advised Kratzer Automation AG

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.

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).