Clairfield International

At Clairfield we have strong expertise in vertical software — software developed for niche sectors. Identifying and analysing these companies requires both specialised skill and a robust network in the tech industry. Clairfield’s technology, software & digital team brings both to the table. Our team recently advised CONEX, a leading French developer of customs and security management software, on its acquisition of Lector ApS, Denmark’s leading customs software publisher. Founded in 1985 and headquartered near Lille, Conex dominates the French market for software and collaborative tools for managing customs and security declarations. With subsidiaries in Belgium, the UK, and Ireland, and a commercial presence in Spain. Conex has achieved remarkable growth, generating nearly EUR 20 million in sales with over 80% of revenue being recurring. Conex is backed by family owners and, since 2023, by the French private equity firm 21 Invest. Based in Copenhagen, Lector specialises in software solutions for automating customs processes and document/case management. The company is active in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Poland, serving large and medium-sized businesses. “The target is a perfect fit for Conex, allowing the company to expand into the Nordics,” says Bertrand, head of Clairfield’s tech sector group. “This transaction involved all of our favorite elements: crossborder, private equity, innovation, and a local champion. It was a pleasure to work with all parties.” Kudos to our international team for a job well done: Bertrand Hermez, Marie Dokchine, Martin Muff, Julie Berggreen Jørgensen.   Follow Clairfield International for news on midmarket M&A. #DefinedByYourSuccess #software #crossborder

The countdown to Clairfield’s 20th anniversary continues! With just three weeks until our celebration, we turn an eye to one of our most important client pools – private equity. Private equity is a ubiquitous part of the M&A landscape today, even more so than when Clairfield was founded 20 years ago. More funds have broadened their geographical scope while sharpening their sector focus. Private equity can be a critical lifeline to midmarket companies that need to consolidate to survive. According to Invest Europe, 85% of PE and VC investments were in SMEs. “Clairfield has a robust private equity practice throughout Europe and the world. Our teams have closed more than 650 deals involving private equity since 2010, totalling over USD 20 billion in enterprise value. These figures demonstrate that private equity has become a strategic exit alternative for family-owned and manager-operator-owned companies in addition to traditional multinationals looking to divest non-core assets,” says Frank de Lange, managing partner in the Netherlands. Frank, along with other team members, has special expertise in private equity, having worked in the industry for a number of years. In addition to connecting our clients to private equity counterparties, Clairfield offers comprehensive M&A and financing advisory services to private equity. Our team provides inroads and expertise in local markets and originates investment opportunities through structured processes. We also regularly advise private equity firms on their exits by deploying our international presence to ensure that the most relevant industrial and international buyers are pulled into the sale process. Here’s to another 20 years of international M&A success. Let the countdown continue! #ClairfieldCelebrates #WeAre20 #DefinedByYourSuccess #mergersandacquisitions #privateequity

The countdown to Clairfield’s 20th anniversary continues! With just three weeks until our celebration, we turn an eye to one of our most important client pools – private equity. Private equity is a ubiquitous part of the M&A landscape today, even more so than when Clairfield was founded 20 years ago. More funds have broadened their geographical scope while sharpening their sector focus. Private equity can be a critical lifeline to midmarket companies that need to consolidate to survive. According to Invest Europe, 85% of PE and VC investments were in SMEs. “Clairfield has a robust private equity practice throughout Europe and the world. Our teams have closed more than 650 deals involving private equity since 2010, totalling over USD 20 billion in enterprise value. These figures demonstrate that private equity has become a strategic exit alternative for family-owned and manager-operator-owned companies in addition to traditional multinationals looking to divest non-core assets,” says Frank de Lange, managing partner in the Netherlands. Frank, along with other team members, has special expertise in private equity, having worked in the industry for a number of years. In addition to connecting our clients to private equity counterparties, Clairfield offers comprehensive M&A and financing advisory services to private equity. Our team provides inroads and expertise in local markets and originates investment opportunities through structured processes. We also regularly advise private equity firms on their exits by deploying our international presence to ensure that the most relevant industrial and international buyers are pulled into the sale process. Here’s to another 20 years of international M&A success. Let the countdown continue! #ClairfieldCelebrates #WeAre20 #DefinedByYourSuccess #mergersandacquisitions #privateequity

Willie Hattingh, the head of Clairfield's resources sector group and head of Resources Advisory at RMB - Rand Merchant Bank, shared his thoughts on the natural resources sector with DealMakers SA's Corporate Finance Magazine earlier this month. Great read that summarises recent radical changes in the sector. #Mining #Resources https://lnkd.in/dPdsCXen

The countdown to Clairfield’s 20th anniversary continues! This week we highlight a cornerstone of Clairfield’s success – our seven sector groups. Clients trust us because we understand their business, whether it’s manufacturing high-precision components or distributing cloud-based systems. Every area has its own universe of concerns – profitability drivers, future trends, main consolidators, and internationalisation pathways. Having the M&A process managed by a team that understands these complexities and can speak knowledgably about peer companies and trends worldwide is a unique characteristic of working with Clairfield. From finding the best international counterparties to comparing transaction multiples in the sector, our sector groups are key to the process. “Our groups meet weekly to discuss our live mandates and international angles and also to focus on hot subsectors,” says Gary Ecob, co-head of our consumer sector group with Martin Lemmer. “We receive invaluable insights from colleagues who have outreach to large corporates, local champions, and family businesses that are often under the radar. We can also compare value drivers for transactions across regions, which is invaluable for determining transaction value.” Our other sector groups are business services led by Angus Russell; energy & cleantech led by Marino Marchi and Derek Thomson; healthcare led by Walter J. Helm and Michael Kakanis, PhD, CFA; industrials, led by Dr. Albert Schander and Tom McCarthy; and tech, digital & software led by Bertrand Hermez and Piotr Kolodziejczyk. A resources group led by Willie Hattingh was formed this year to study opportunities in this sector, an area of special expertise of our African partners. Contact us to learn more about how our sector expertise can help you achieve success. #ClairfieldCelebrates #WeAre20 #DefinedByYourSuccess #mergersandacquisitions #sectors

The countdown to Clairfield's 20th anniversary celebration continues! As we count down to this milestone, we are highlighting the most important developments in Clairfield history. Our expansion into sub-Saharan Africa with our partners RMB - Rand Merchant Bank stands out as a recent achievement. RMB has an unrivalled track record in corporate finance advisory and is consistently the top-ranked advisor in the league tables in South Africa and Nigeria, which is essential for our clients interested in Africa. If you are interested in exploring opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, read our interview with Krishna Nagar below and connect with us. #SouthAfrica #SubSaharanAfrica #ClairfieldCelebrates #WeAre20 #crossborder #mergersandacquisitions  

The countdown to Clairfield's 20th anniversary celebration continues… As we look back on our two decades, we reflect on one of the most exciting changes in our journey — our 2022 rebrand, the second in our history. This branding overhaul represented our continuous evolution and the importance of keeping our company image fresh and relevant after 20 years of history. Our new motto “Defined by Your Success” asks our clients (and ourselves) to consider what success means to them. We use our case studies to showcase our clients’ achievements and illustrate how we have assisted them as advisors. Every client is unique, and so is our approach. Our new brand identity symbolises a fresh outlook, renewed energy, and an innovative spirit that drives us forward. It demonstrates the depth and breadth of our expertise, large and impressive team and client roster, and presents Clairfield as a truly united global company. Here’s to another 20 years… #WeAre20 #Rebrand #ClairfieldCelebrates #mergersandacquisitions #DefinedByYourSuccess

As we approach our 20th anniversary, we thank our clients for their support and trust over the past two decades. Their successes allow us to continue our commitment to social and environmental responsibility, community involvement, ethical practices, and charity work. Many of our recent initiatives have involved sponsoring and assisting the relief efforts in Ukraine. Our offices have actively organised the transportation of medical supplies from Germany aiding hospitals that care for civilians and military personnel. Clairfield team members have supported refugees both financially and by offering safe housing. Partner in Germany Dr. Albert Schander is no stranger to conflict zones and humanitarian relief from his long career in the German military as colonel of the German paratroopers. He is also an active part of the Johanniter organization, serving as chair of the board of trustees of two hospitals and together with the International Assistance TF of Johanniter in Berlin he organized one of the first relief goods transports from Germany to Lwiw in 2022. Clairfield remains committed to supporting the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. To donate to the ongoing relief efforts, visit https://lnkd.in/diZad5Hn. To learn about all the charities we support, visit https://lnkd.in/dMktAGc8. #WeAre20 #ClairfieldCelebrates #CSR #GivingBack #charities #HowDoYouDefineSuccess #ClairfieldSupports

Private equity is adept at identifying emerging trends, and it’s no wonder investors are drawn to the booming natural beauty segment within Beauty & Personal Care (BP&C). Our Italian consumer team advised Naturalia Tantum in the sale of a majority stake to H.I.G. Capital in partnership with management of the company. This MBO transaction will further accelerate the growth of Naturalia Tantum in Italy and abroad. Based in Milan, Naturalia Tantum develops, manufactures and distributes natural organic personal care products. The company portfolio combines white label products and proprietary branded products, positioning the group as a one-stop shop for Italian and international retailers. Organic beauty is a thriving sector where Clairfield boasts extensive experience. Just a few months ago we closed the sale of a minority stake of MiiN Korean Cosmetics, a K-beauty and natural beauty pioneer in Europe, to Barlon Capital, in another private equity transaction. Congratulations to our clients and the deal team: Barbara Ronconi and Marco Pagano! Follow Clairfield International on LinkedIn for news and success stories in midmarket M&A. #DefinedByYourSuccess #consumer #beauty #organic #privateequity #Italy

Clairfield's 20th anniversary countdown continues! As we count down to our 20th anniversary celebration, we highlight key initiatives that have helped define our success. Keeping the lines of communication open between clients, advisors, and industry experts is essential. This week we feature our annual publication “The Clairfield Outlook,” which showcases successful transactions and insights from business leaders on their journeys and experiences. Over the years, the Outlook has developed and evolved, with its distribution growing more extensive and reaching further afield. Due to popular demand, we offer both printed and digital versions. The Clairfield Outlook continues to ignite thoughts and discussions, taking a forward and backward look at M&A. We invite you to explore our latest edition here: https://lnkd.in/eZZ9GFNF Here’s to the next 20 years! #ClairfieldOutlook #WeAre20