avocis
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avocis

avocis provides multilingual customer contact management services for a range of industries including telecommunications, utilities and financial service providers.

It employs some 6,500 agents in 13 locations across Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Pro forma revenue for 2014 was €210m. Germany accounted for 53%, making it the country’s third largest provider by sales. Switzerland generated the majority of remaining revenue, where avocis is market leader in its sector.

VALUE CREATION

During the investment period, Equistone Funds worked alongside the management team to develop avocis by:

  • Supporting its buy-and-build strategy, which resulted in the rapid acquisition of seven complementary businesses: Kluth Telemarketing, SIM and BNS Group, which were acquired in 2008, followed by Pro Fiducia Treuhand, adm, Dima and Freenet, which were acquired in 2009.
  • Generating organic growth through expansion into the energy and financial services sectors and entry into the Austrian market.
  • Delivering a series of cost-savings initiatives including a restructuring of the business and consolidation of its IT infrastructure.

THE EXIT

In March 2015, Equistone Fund III completed the sale of its investment in avocis to Capita plc.

HOLDING PERIOD

Oct 2007 - Feb 2015

Country

Switzerland

Sector

Business Services

Revenue Progression

CHF 74m / CHF 216m

Employees at ACQ.

1,200

Investment Type

Primary MBO

Following the management buyout in 2007, we were able to expand our multi-lingual services and drive forward the international growth of the Company.

ADD-ON ACQUISITIONS

Freenet Customer Care
Dec 2009
adm Group (DE)
Jul 2009
Pro Fiducia Treuhand AG
Feb 2009
DIMA Systems
Dec 2008
BNS Group
Nov 2008
SIM Communication Center GmbH (DE)
Apr 2008
Kluth Telemarketing (DE)
Jan 2008