PAI Partners and ADB Airfield Solutions to acquire Safegate

26 Feb 2016

PAI Partners ("PAI"), a leading European private equity firm, and ADB Airfield Solutions ("ADB"), a global airfield lighting solutions provider, today announce the acquisition of Safegate International AB ("Safegate"), from Fairford Group ("Fairford").

PAI Partners and ADB Airfield Solutions to acquire Safegate from Fairford Group

PAI Partners (“PAI”), a leading European private equity firm, and ADB Airfield Solutions (“ADB”), a global airfield lighting solutions provider, today announce the acquisition of Safegate International AB (“Safegate”), from Fairford Group (“Fairford”).

Safegate is a leading airfield solutions business providing aircraft docking guidance systems, gate management systems, airfield lighting solutions and air traffic control systems to more than 1,300 airports in 130 countries. Thanks to its pioneering R&D capabilities, Safegate delivers integrated, technology-driven solutions to help airports meet increasing demand for safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly airfield operations. Safegate is headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, has more than 300 employees worldwide and generated revenue of SEK 1.3 billion in 2015.
Fairford, the private investment company of the Osseiran Family Trust, has a range of investments across Europe, predominantly in Sweden and the United Kingdom. Fairford has owned Safegate since 1991 and under Fairford’s ownership, Safegate has developed from being a business with docking guidance systems and airfield lighting technologies into a world leader in airfield passenger throughput technologies.

Laurent Rivoire and Ragnar Hellenius, Partners at PAI, said:
“This is a very exciting moment. Through this combination between PAI-owned ADB and Safegate, we are creating the world leader in advanced airfield guidance systems, from aircraft landing to parking. Thanks to its scale, cumulative experience and innovation capabilities, ADB Safegate will be well positioned to assist airports in dealing with traffic expansion in absolute safety. We look forward to the successful development of the new ADB Safegate group.”

Christian Onselaere, CEO of ADB, said:
“At ADB we are excited and looking forward to team up with Safegate. ADB can build on 69 years of experience in the airfield lighting market. We have grown from a product supplier to a leader in turnkey solutions and services for the airside. The new combination will create a true expert in products, solutions and services from the airside over the gate to the tower. Our company ADB Safegate will use its power of innovation and global reach to offer best-in-class solutions that help airports meet the growing challenges of higher traffic throughput, the need for more efficiency and sustainable growth.”
Bengt A. Dahl, Chairman of Fairford, and Salah Osseiran, Director of Fairford, said:
“We have been proud owners of Safegate for 25 years. Under Fairford’s ownership, Safegate has remained at the forefront of technological innovation, strengthened its solutions offering and dramatically expanded its geographic footprint across the globe. Today, Safegate is associated with some of the world’s leading airports and has established itself as a leading innovator in its core markets. The Safegate success story is testament to its world class management team and we would like to thank everyone at Safegate for their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. We wish Safegate all the best in its partnership with PAI and ADB and look forward to seeing it continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Per-Olof Hammarlund, CEO of Safegate, said:
“Together with Fairford, we have built a premier global airfield solutions provider with a track-record of growth, excellence and innovation. We are thankful to Fairford for their constant support over so many years. We look forward to the partnership with PAI and ADB to deliver the next chapter of our story, as we continue to pursue our vision of becoming the world leader in integrated airfield solutions. Safegate’s culture of entrepreneurship and innovation runs deep in our organisation and we are excited to work with partners who share our values. Our clients and employees stand to benefit from a broader platform of airfield solutions, greater global reach and continued focus on growth.”

Evercore and deNovo Corporate Advisors acted as financial advisors and Ashurst acted as legal advisor to Fairford. Rothschild acted as financial advisor to PAI.

About ADB

The ADB Group comprises ADB Airfield Solutions, LUCEBIT and ERNI AGL, three world-leading airfield technology companies specializing in end-to-end, integrated and sustainable solutions for visual guidance. Our innovative approach, SmartExpansion Path, leverages our turnkey expertise to help our customers prioritize their airport expansion plans and overcome growth stress by addressing eight domains of airside operations. These cover the complete airside cycle from Traffic Management, AGL Audit, Design, Products and Solutions to Systems Integration, Services and Project Management, and Training and Maintenance.
With a worldwide presence and experience spanning 69 years in airfield lighting, we’re at the forefront of LED lighting and offer a complete portfolio that sets new standards in safety, performance, quality, and customer service. More than 2000 airports in 175 countries have chosen ADB as their preferred partner for airside operations.
For more information about ADB, please visit our website at www.adb-air.com

About Fairford

Fairford is an active and value-adding investor seeking to invest in privately owned companies in Sweden and the UK. Through long term engagement, sustainable operational improvements and clear strategic positioning Fairford aims to create a portfolio of leading companies in their respective markets. Headquartered in Östersund, Sweden with offices in Stockholm and London, Fairford is a private investment company owned by the Osseiran Family Trust.
For further information about Fairford please visit our website: www.fairfordholdings.com

About PAI Partners

PAI is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Stockholm. PAI manages €8.1 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, PAI has completed 58 LBO transactions in 11 countries, representing c. €40 billion in transaction value. PAI is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector-based organisation. PAI provides portfolio companies with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.
For further information about PAI: www.paipartners.com

About Safegate

Safegate Group offers a complete range of integrated intelligent solutions for the airside, tower and gate for increased safety, efficiency and environmental benefits to airports around the world. The company was founded in 1973 and has its headquarters in Malmö, Sweden. Acquisitions include Thorn Airfield Lighting, Idman Airfield Lighting and Liberty Airport Systems with more than 40 years of experience in the design and implementation of airfield lighting solutions, and Avibit, a leading provider of integrated solutions for air traffic control. www.safegate.com.