LOCATIQS sold to Sogelink after successful partnership

Sogelink, a leading provider of software solutions for infrastructure, construction, and property management professionals, today announces that it has successfully completed the acquisition of the LOCATIQS Group to create a leading pan-European construction technology champion. This new structure will offer its clients a strong value-add proposition ranging from the first sketches of an asset right through to its full digital twin.

Keensight Capital, the majority shareholder of Sogelink and Main Capital Partners (“Main”), LOCATIQS’ majority shareholder and growth partner since 2017, have worked together with both management teams to make this acquisition possible. During the partnership with Main, revenues increased six-fold from €6 million to approximately €35 million, primarily attributed to an increased focus on productised recurring revenue streams.

Headquartered in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands, LOCATIQS was founded through the combination of Dutch software companies GOconnectIT and Geodan in 2021. It has since established itself as the Netherland’s leading specialist in product software solutions and complementary consultancy in the geographic information systems (“GIS”) and field service management (“FSM”) markets.

LOCATIQS benefits from the highly skilled expertise of a team with over 250 professionals, working on innovative (software) solutions for collecting, analysing, combining and visualising (location intelligence) data for a safer, smarter and more sustainable world above and below ground. These solutions, for example, help to prevent excavation damage, with the efficient and safe rollout of fibre optic networks or the coordination of relocations during adjustments to motorways, but also with the optimum route in complex urban logistics or in determining the most effective sustainability option within a municipality. In addition, they also help with all the challenges that local authorities have in implementing the environmental legislation.

Following a successful buy-and-build strategy, supported and financed by Main, including the acquisitions of Geodan van den Berg (2018), Swiss Knife (2019), and Geodan (2020), LOCATIQS has become a market leading platform, with a mobile offering in each domestic market. It has also expanded its customer base across the Benelux, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

Sogelink is the partner of choice for construction companies, network operators and public authorities in their digital journey. It brings innovative software solutions across the entire lifecycle of an asset. Sogelink has successfully combined organic growth with a proven ability to integrate teams with eight companies acquired over the last five years.

The combination of the two groups will create a European champion across multiple construction technology markets. The combined group is further materialising Sogelink’s strategy which aims to be the best-in-class, most innovative, European construction technology company, offering its clients a full suite of solutions. These range from cutting-edge design and engineering solutions for all network and civil infrastructure, a unique on-field application toolbox through to integrated solutions that leverage data location intelligence to solve complex spatial challenges.

While continuing to benefit from expansion through strong organic growth in its core geographies, the newly formed group will accelerate the international roll-out of its combined product offering across the entire construction value chain. The merger will also increase the financial capacity and combined expertise available to drive further innovation and selective acquisitions. With more than 650 employees across Europe, total revenues of more than €130 million and a double-digit organic growth trajectory, the partnership represents a high potential entrepreneurial project for the management teams.

Fatima Berral, CEO of Sogelink, commented: “With the LOCATIQS’ team, we share the same passion and a common DNA. We focus on protecting the underground network infrastructure and on ensuring a safe and efficient construction process, while leveraging best-in-class innovations on geo-data intelligence. We also share a similar core customer base of construction companies, civil engineers, network operators and public authorities. Together, we will strengthen our presence among our key clients and create new growth opportunities both locally and internationally.”

Matty van Leeuwen, and Edwin van Rooijen, Managing Directors at LOCATIQS added: “We have found in Sogelink a natural partner to combine our expertise with and to pursue our growth potential while accelerating internationalisation beyond our existing home markets. Our clients will benefit from a reinforced value proposition through complementary and broader solutions across the construction value chain as well as through continuous technological development. We are very proud to be part of the same family and thank Main for its continued support and expertise over the recent years.”

Jean-Michel Beghin, Managing Partner of Keensight Capital, continued: “Sogelink is taking an exciting step forward with the acquisition of LOCATIQS. At Keensight Capital, we identify growth-driving opportunities for the companies we invest in and take pride in contributing to the consolidation of the market through the creation of real success stories.”

Arjan Hannink, Partner at Keensight Capital, added: “We are very proud to have supported this process and firmly believe Sogelink is heading in the right direction to establishing its position as a true international leader in the construction technology market.”

Pieter van Bodegraven, Managing Partner Benelux at Main, concluded: 
“We are very proud of this successful partnership. The company has rolled out an excellent product-suite with an increasingly growing international customer base causing our international revenues to increase by over 50% year-on-year. We feel confident that in Sogelink we have found a great partner to support LOCATIQS during its next phase of international growth.”