Heras

Heras is a European provider of perimeter protection solutions.

Founded in 1952, Heras provides mobile and permanent perimeter protection solutions in the Benelux, UK, France, Germany and the Nordic region.

Heras supplies medium- to high-security fences, gates and access control solutions used in applications ranging from border control, military bases and critical infrastructure to schools and hospitals. The company’s mobile perimeter protection products are primarily used to secure construction sites and major events. Products are tailored to customer specifications, and services include installation, system integration, maintenance and repairs.

VALUE CREATION

During the investment period, Heras has grown into an established European business, which has been achieved through a strategy of focusing on the provision of high-security solutions and recurring services to public and private sector key accounts operating critical infrastructure. The success of this development has been accelerated by the successful acquisition of three businesses: SER Hegn, a Danish perimeter protection provider, BA-KRO, a German specialist in the high-security segment and Govers Sierhekwerk a Dutch specialist supplier of custom-made gates.

Based on this strategy, Heras has more than doubled its EBITDA – on the back of several operational improvements including:

• Consolidation of its product portfolio and implementation of a revised make-or-buy strategy.
• Centralisation of production for permanent protection products at its site in the Netherlands and subsequent upgrades to the latest technical standards.
• Significant investment to renew its two production sites for mobile perimeter protection products in Belgium and France.
• Implementation of a group-wide ESG strategy.

THE EXIT

Equistone Fund VI realised its investment in Heras through a sale to Garda Group, a business backed by EMK Capital.