Basware acquires network and e-Invoicing business of leading Benelux operator Certipost
Basware Corporation, stock exchange release, October 5, 2012 at 13:40
Basware acquires network and e-Invoicing business of leading Benelux operator
Certipost
Basware Corporation has on October 5, 2012 signed an agreement to acquire the
network and e-Invoicing business of Certipost, a bpost company and the leading
e-Invoice operator in the Benelux. Basware Corporation will establish a fully
owned subsidiary in Belgium and the acquired assets and liabilities will be
transferred to this entity.
The closing of the acquisition will take place after the mandatory formalities
under the Belgian legislation have been completed. Basware will consolidate the
acquired business into its net sales and profit starting from the closing date.
In 2012, the net sales of the acquired business are expected to amount to
approximately EUR 8.5 million.
The initial acquisition price of approximately EUR 18.2 million will be paid in
cash on the closing date. The final acquisition price will be based on the
audited 2012 annual accounts. Basware will announce more information about the
synergy benefits as well as financial guidance related to the acquisition on the
closing date.
"Basware is the global market leader in Purchase-to-Pay and e-Invoicing
solutions. We are actively looking for possibilities to gain a stronger position
in selected markets, and new customers with growth potential for Basware
solutions and services, both organically and through acquisitions", explains
Esa Tihilä, CEO, Basware Corporation. "The synergy benefits of the acquired
network and e-Invoicing assets of Certipost derive from accelerated growth
potential. We will achieve significant market position with a single acquisition
in the Benelux, where we expect the e-Invoicing markets to grow substantially in
the upcoming years. This acquisition will also make Basware the market leader in
e-Invoicing in the Benelux market."
Certipost, based in Aalst Belgium, is part of the bpost Group. The company
positions itself as a growing specialist in secure electronic document exchange
for companies, the government, and consumers. In 2011, Certipost had more than
85,000 companies using its technology to exchange documents electronically and
it reaches over 100,000 companies in Europe through roaming. Certipost employs
currently 84 people, of whom 76 employees work in the network and e-Invoicing
business.
"Certipost has in-depth knowledge on providing services to both local and
international buyers and suppliers in e-Invoicing which complements Basware
services. Certipost's extensive expertise in electronic data interchange (EDI)
was also crucial in the establishment of an agreement", says Tihilä. "Basware
aims to become the largest business commerce network for both buyers and
suppliers and to reach 150 million transactions by the end of 2015. Basware
intends to accelerate global growth by growing its Open Network and offering
targeted for the small and medium enterprises which is now available for the
entire Benelux market. With the acquisition, we estimate to add approximately
12 million transactions to our global Open Network."
The acquisition of Certipost's network and e-Invoicing business is Basware's
second announced acquisition in 2012. In early 2012, Basware became the leading
e-Invoice operator in Germany with the acquisition of First Businesspost GmbH.
For more information, please contact:
Esa Tihilä, CEO, Basware Corporation
Tel. +358 40 480 7098
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd
Key media
www.basware.com