Ardian partners with management to acquire Gantner technologies from Identec group

The acquisition represents the 13th investment to be made from the €500 million Expansion Fund III. The parties agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction, completion of which is still subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Schruns, Austria, GANTNER is a leading international manufacturer of contactless RFID and NFC access control and staff time recording systems facilitating automatic identification. GANTNER solutions can be found in leisure facilities such as fitness clubs, water parks, public pools and spas, as well as in commercial and public buildings. GANTNER provides integrated overall solutions for membership and visitor management and cashless payments, as well as for high security access control (doors, cabinets and lockers) and staff time recording systems. 

GANTNER develops and produces both the hardware and the software required to run the systems, offering its customers integrated overall solutions. GANTNER is the market leader in the niche segment for fitness clubs in Europe, counting many of the most prestigious leisure facilities among its clients – among them well-known brands such as FitnessFirst, Holmes Place, McFit and Elements. It’s also one of the three biggest companies in the public pools and spas segment. GANTNER has subsidiaries in Germany, the UK, Dubai and Australia and operates in more than 60 countries. Around a quarter of its global workforce of more than 200 is employed in R&D. More than 70% of revenues are currently generated in Europe. For the 2015 financial year the company recorded revenues of approximately €36 million, a year-on-year increase of over 20%. 

As part of the transaction, the existing management team, which has been successfully overseeing the GANTNER growth strategy for more than ten years, will invest in the company, thus providing the continuity that will ensure its further successful development. With the backing of Ardian, management is planning to further strengthen GANTNER’s leading position as a highly innovative supplier of NFC systems and to boost growth by tapping into new markets as well as seeking bolt-on acquisitions. 

Elmar Hartmann, Managing Director of GANTNER, said: “With our long-term experience, our in-house R&D skills and our excellent team, we offer our clients the most innovative product solutions combined with state-of-the-art technology. In Ardian we have found an entrepreneurial partner who not only understands our business but who will also support us in accelerating GANTNER’s international expansion. We look forward to continuing our successful growth path together with Ardian.“

Dirk Wittneben, Head of Ardian Expansion in Germany, added: “The success of GANTNER is down to its innovative products, an experienced team with excellent know-how, and long-term customer relationships. We look forward to working alongside management to build on the existing product portfolio and to provide support for the company’s international growth. Additionally, we will offer GANTNER support through our international network as it moves to enter new markets.“