M&A Blog by Equiteq - Global M&A Advisors

Consulting Sector M&A Deals for week beginning 12th January

Written by Equiteq | 19 Jan 2015

enChoice, Inc. (USA) acquired Foster Consulting Group, Inc. (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: IT consulting Date: January 2015
enChoice®, Inc. announced the acquisition of enterprise report management (ERM) consulting firm Foster Consulting Group, Inc. (FCG). This acquisition, which includes all aspects of FCG’s intellectual property, customers, contracts and personnel, further strengthens enChoice’s leadership position and market share in the enterprise content management (ECM) space. FCG has provided consulting, design, integration and data extraction services for large, MVS-based ERM systems for twenty years. The company leverages custom data extraction tools to quickly and accurately extract ERM system data. FCG has helped hundreds of leading companies architect, monitor, tune and maintain their ERM environments. enChoice and FCG will offer their full product and services portfolios across their entire customer base. This will allow customers to maximise efficiency and ROI by providing a comprehensive, end-to-end spectrum of ERM and ECM solutions. The acquisition specifically benefits FCG customers by enabling them to take advantage of enChoice customer support resources and complementary ECM software and services. “The acquisition of FCG is a significant step forward towards broadening our offerings and capabilities in the ERM market,” said Tony White, CEO, enChoice. “We’re already the leading IBM® Content Manager OnDemand (CMOD) business partner and recognised worldwide supplier of CMOD education. With FCG, we further deepen our expertise and offerings in the strategic ERM segment.” enChoice, Inc. deploys, supports, administers, maintains, and protects end-to-end enterprise content management solutions and services. Foster Consulting Group, Inc. offers consulting, design, integration and data extraction services for large, MVS-based ERM systems and also develops related software products.

RLJ Equity Partners, LLC (USA) acquired Phase One Consulting Group, Inc. (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: IT consulting Date: January 2015
RLJ Equity Partners, LLC, an affiliate of The RLJ Companies, announced its acquisition of Phase One Consulting Group, LLC, a premier provider of information technology-based consulting services and solutions to various U.S. federal civilian agencies. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, Phase One provides a range of strategic solutions addressing IT strategy, organisational transformation, strategic communications, process and business analysis, solution architecture and engineering, agile development, and cybersecurity. Phase One Consulting Group has a long-standing reputation as a trustworthy resource for its work across a broad spectrum of federal agency and industry clients,” said RLJ Equity Partner’s Managing Partner Rufus H. Rivers. “RLJ is excited to support the company as it continues to develop innovative solutions to meet the needs of its private and public sector clients.” Phase One maintains long-standing client relationships throughout most of the federal civilian sector. Phase One typically interfaces directly with Chief Information Officers, engaging in every phase of the IT project lifecycle and supports its clients with strategic and tactical modernisation initiatives, including the utilisation of Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) for migration to the cloud. Phase One Consulting Group, Inc. provides IT strategy, organisational transformation, process and business analysis, investment management, solution architecture, solution engineering, agile development, and cyber security solutions. RLJ Equity Partners, LLC is the private equity and venture capital arm of The RLJ Companies specialising in middle market, traditional buyouts, recapitalisations, add-on acquisitions, growth capital, and growth equity.

CohnReznick LLP (USA) entered into a letter of intent to acquire NOI Strategies, LLC (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
CohnReznick LLP, one of the top accounting, tax, and advisory firms in the U.S., announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire NOI Strategies (NOI), a premier, global real estate consulting boutique. The deal is expected to close February 1, 2015. The NOI team will join the advisory services arm of the Firm and will operate as NOI Strategies, a division of CohnReznick. The combination brings additional service offerings and strategic synergies to both firms that will significantly augment the way they serve clients within the commercial real estate industry and beyond. Founded in 2003, NOI is a global services company that provides strategy, operations, technology, and outsourcing services to commercial real estate owners, operators and investors. The company maintains a presence in Chicago; New York; Dallas; British Columbia, Canada; and Sydney, Australia. “CohnReznick’s robust advisory services as well as its traditional accounting and tax services are an exciting complement to the platform for NOI,” Huang said in the press release. “As we continue to design customised solutions from both inside and outside the commercial real estate industry, we sought a partner that would help us expand our platform, augment our resources, and contribute new ideas and best practices from their broad industry experience.” NOI Strategies, LLC. offers management consulting, technology solutions, and operational support services to the real estate industry. CohnReznick LLP provides accounting and consultancy services through its subsidiaries to construction, distribution, entertainment, hospitality, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.

Version 1 Software (Ireland) acquired Patech Solutions Limited (UK)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: IT consulting Date: January 2015
Birmingham-based IT consultancy Patech Solutions has been acquired by Irish IT consulting and managed services company Version 1. Version 1 will use Patech’s services to deliver a complete line of technology-enabled solutions and services across a wide range of products to its customers, helping the company to achieve its targeted €70m in revenues this year and expanding its UK operations. Formed in 1997 by founder and CEO Tony Bird, who will join the senior management team of Version 1, Patech Solutions has been a preferred Oracle E-Business Suite implementation and Managed Support services provider for over 10 years. Its areas of expertise include Big Data, cloud based services, document management and Business Intelligence. Version 1 hopes the acquisition will enable Patech to rapidly build its business, extending its range of services within the IT services market. Bird welcomed the news, describing it as “an exciting development” which “will enable us to provide a wider range of solutions and services to our existing clients. It will also help us to scale our business rapidly and to capture even more opportunities both within the Oracle E-Business space and also the broader IT Services market.” CEO of Version 1, Justin Keatinge said: “We are delighted to welcome Patech Solutions Ltd to the Version 1 team. Patech were a close fit with our acquisition criteria and strengthens our public sector profile and our Oracle practice across the UK & Ireland.” Patech Solutions Limited operates as an implementation and managed services company. Version 1 Software, trading as Version 1, operates as an information technology (IT) consulting and outsourced managed services company in Ireland.

Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. (USA) acquired Ducibella Venter & Santore (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. has acquired East Coast-based Ducibella Venter & Santore (DVS), a nationally recognised leader in security consulting for financial institutions and educational, commercial and museum facilities. DVS will help expand Ross & Baruzzini’s capabilities for risk and threat assessments and the consultation, design, engineering documentation, construction supervision and final turn-over implementation for technical and physical security, electronic protection and countermeasure systems. “This acquisition will further strengthen Ross & Baruzzini’s position as a trusted leader in the global security industry,” said Craig Toder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ross & Baruzzini. “DVS is extremely well respected in some very specialised security sectors that will allow us to expand our current security portfolio outside our existing markets. We are pleased to have all principal owners and partners remaining in leadership positions in our newly structured organisation so that client transition will be seamless and we look forward to building a very sustainable business with them for many years to come.” “We are very excited to be joining the Ross & Baruzzini team,” said Philip Santore, Senior Principal of DVS. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our staff to realize new projects and growth opportunities. Becoming part of an international firm will strengthen the services offered to our existing clients in addition to allowing us to compete on a larger scale for full-service projects. It was the right move at the right time, and we are very excited for what our future holds with Ross & Baruzzini.” Joseph M. Chapman, Inc., doing business as Ducibella Venter & Santore, provides security consulting and security engineering services. Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. provides consulting and engineering services in the areas of transportation, critical infrastructure, commercial, higher education and research, healthcare, and military projects.

The Camden Group (USA) acquired Health Directions, LLC (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Healthcare consulting Date: January 2015
The Camden Group, one of the nation’s largest healthcare business advisory firms, announced it has acquired Health Directions, LLC. Health Directions is a national consulting firm that provides business solutions for healthcare organisations, helping medical groups and hospitals improve their financial performance, enhance physician satisfaction, take full advantage of health IT, and strengthen their strategic position. The merger results in an enhancement of the depth of services and expertise of both firms, providing additional advantages for clients in developing clinical integration programs, accountable care organisations, improving the performance of their physician enterprise, and implementing other population health solutions involving innovation to care delivery and payment models. “Health Directions is a highly respected and well-regarded national healthcare consulting firm, dedicated to assisting healthcare systems and physician groups,” says Steven T. Valentine, president of The Camden Group. “The firm is a great cultural fit, and given the evolving needs of our clients and our commitment to assist in their successful transformation, this acquisition strengthens our capabilities to provide the best solutions that fit the broad range of client needs for migrating this change, as well as expand our footprint in Chicago and establish our presence in the Texas market.” Additionally, clients will benefit from Health Directions’ data analytics and expertise in HIT selection and implementation. Health Directions, LLC, a consulting firm, provides business solutions for healthcare organisations in the United States. DNH Medical Management, Inc. provides healthcare advisory and investment banking services.

Arthur J Gallagher & Co. (USA) acquired e3 Financial (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: HR consulting Date: January 2015
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of e3 Financial in Newport Beach, California. Established in 1988, e3 Financial (e3) provides employee benefits brokerage, human resource administration and financial benefits consultation services for middle market group clients and individuals throughout the United States. They specialise in integrated organisational, executive and employee resources products for the real estate development, technology and financial services industries. Andrew Torelli, Michael Rankin, Amanda Davis and their colleagues will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of Norbert Chung, leader of Gallagher’s Western employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations. “e3 is well-known for its depth of industry expertise, strong market relationships and an entrepreneurial team that is focused on high-quality client service,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. “Their professional services specialisation and their strong service culture is a natural fit, and their West Coast presence will be a great complement to our employee benefits operation. We are pleased to welcome Andy, Mike, Amanda and their e3 team to our growing Gallagher family of professionals.” Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance brokerage and risk management services in the United States and internationally. e3 Financial, Inc. provides employee benefits brokerage, human resources administration, and financial advisory services.

KPMG Finland (Finland) acquired Trusteq Oy (Finland)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: IT consulting Date: January 2015
KPMG Finland has acquired 100% of Trusteq Oy, a 45 strong Finnish cyber security consulting company specialising in identity and access management services and security transformation projects. The move comes shortly after KPMG’s acquisition of two other security businesses – Qubera, a leading identity and access management consultancy operating in the US and UK, with an offshore capability in India and P3 Consulting, a Frankfurt based security boutique. Raija-Leena Hankonen, CEO of KPMG Finland comments: “The acquisition of Trusteq Oy is aligned with our core business goals, strengthens our ability to meet our clients’ need and provide outstanding client service. KPMG is already well positioned in information security services in many client segments and following the acquisition KPMG will be one of the leading providers of IT security services in Finland. Trusteq’s expertise in managing transformation projects adds to KPMG’s portfolio such strategic know-how that is valuable both to us and our clients.” The latest move strengthens KPMG’s cyber security strength in Finland, building the team to over 80 professionals and widening their lead over their key competitors. Trusteq’s capabilities will be combined with those of KPMG’s own global team and the leading edge capability brought by the Qubera team that joined late last year. Malcolm Marshall, global leader of KPMG’s cyber security practice, says: “Cyber security is one of the greatest risks facing business today. Managing identities effectively is key to unlocking the value that can be created by the digital economy. The successful adoption of the Internet of Things and the benefits it can bring relies on the improved management of the identities of people and things and how they interact with each other. The move bolsters our already excellent position in Finland. By bringing together the expertise of Trusteq, together with our Finnish and global teams, we are in an even stronger position to help clients tackle the threats.”

4C Associates, Ltd (UK) agreed to acquire ProfitFlo Trust (UK)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
4C Associates announced the acquisition of Procurement Consulting Firm ProfitFlo. London-based 4Cs is a procurement, cost and supply chain solutions provider working closely with global and national organisations to drive cost reduction and performance improvement through Consultancy, Technology and Managed Service Solutions. Its acquisition of ProfitFlo brings it the strength of a specialist procurement business that focuses on delivering innovative procurement solutions. The new CEO of 4C, Simon Terry, said “I am delighted to welcome ProfitFlo to 4C Associates. ProfitFlo’s track record in delivering client value and their deep expertise in workforce management strengthens our position as the leading specialist procurement services firm.” 4C Associates Ltd. operates as a consultancy and managed services company. ProfitFlo Trust provides sourcing and procurement solutions.

BSI Group America Inc. (USA) acquired Environmental & Occupational Risk Management, Inc. (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
BSI, the business standards company, announced the acquisition of the U.S. consultancy, Environmental and Occupational Risk Management Inc. (EORM), based in San Jose, California. The deal will see EORM become an operating subsidiary of BSI’s Professional Services business in the U.S., significantly boosting EORM’s ability to offer a wider range of environmental, health, safety (EHS) and sustainability services to clients. Now, EORM will operate under the name, EORM – A BSI Professional Services Company. The acquisition of EORM supports BSI’s international growth strategy and follows the purchase of NCS International in Australia in May 2013. The investment increases BSI’s US workforce from 290 to 450, will add over $30 million in revenue and strengthens its geographical presence in the western United States with 6 offices in California, Oregon and Texas. EORM’s technical expertise and sector specialisation includes technology, construction, healthcare, and energy. Clients will now benefit not only from access to world-leading EHS consultancy services, but also to BSI’s proven standards, training, and compliance solutions. Howard Kerr, Chief Executive at BSI said: “Both EORM and BSI have complementary values, expertise and services that help unlock excellence for our clients. Uniting EORM’s world class team and technical expertise with the internationally recognised BSI brand and global network accelerates us towards this goal.” Environmental & Occupational Risk Management, Inc. develops and implements environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management and technical consulting solutions in the United States. BSI Group America Inc., a certification body, provides standards, training, product testing, and assessment and certification services.

Risk International Services, Inc. (USA) acquired Bartlett Actuarial Group, Ltd (USA)
Deal Size: Unspecified Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
Global risk management consulting company Risk International has announced it has acquired Bartlett Actuarial Group, an independent property and casualty (P&C) insurance actuarial service that serves clients nationwide. The deal expands Risk International’s counsel and enhances its captive insurance company advisory services. “We’re anxious to apply Bartlett’s good counsel to captive insurance and mutual insurance companies to the growing needs of both our corporate and privately held clients,” said David O’Brien, chairman, Risk International. “Bill and Andrea Bartlett have built a great service reputation, and we’re looking forward to teaming with their longtime partner Brian Johnson to grow it into new markets.” Founded in 1986, Risk International is headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio. It offers risk management, insurance claims mitigation, loss prevention, claims recovery and due diligence services to mostly Fortune 1000 clients that have a total cost of risk of at least $5 million. Its 2014 acquisition of Consolidated Risk Management in Cleveland allowed it to expand service capacity to the growing outsourced risk management needs of middle market companies that earn $100 million or more in revenue and have a total cost of risk of at least $1 million. Risk International has a staff of nearly 75 and serves clients from offices in Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Wilmington, Delaware, central Michigan, London and Singapore. Bartlett Actuarial Group, Ltd. operates as a risk management consulting company that offers property and casualty actuarial services in the United States. Risk International Services, Inc. operates as a global risk management consulting company.

Associated Financial Group, LLC (USA) to acquire Ahmann-Martin (USA)
Deal Size: $48 million Industry: Business consulting Date: January 2015
Associated Banc-Corp has entered into an agreement to acquire Ahmann & Martin Co., an insurance brokerage and consulting firm for approximately $48 million. Under the agreement, which is expected to close in February, Eden Prairie, Minn.,-based Ahmann & Martin will merge into Associated Financial Group. Ahmann & Martin Co. brings a range of complementary financial services to Associated Financial Group such as employee benefits, risk management and business insurance. Associated Financial Group has more than 240 insurance specialists across a three-state footprint. It generates over $49 million in revenue from its services which include employee benefits, business insurance and human resource consulting and select individual/private insurance services. “The addition of this fast-growing and respected company to the Associated family enhances our ability to offer clients unique, comprehensive solutions to meet their insurance and financial risk management needs,” said Associated President and CEO Philip Flynn. “As we look forward, we will continue to seek ways in which we can prudently grow our capabilities and drive greater client and shareholder value.” Associated Financial Group, LLC operates as a multi-line insurance agency in the United States. Ahmann-Martin, an insurance agency, provides commercial and personal insurance.