TALLINN, August 7, 2023 – LionCliff Capital, the Nordic investment banking firm, is delighted to have advised Adfactory Group in the sale of shares to German signage and advertising specialist Marahrens Group.
Adfactory Group, one of the leading signage companies in the Baltics, and Marahrens Group, a German signage and advertising technology provider, signed an agreement whereby the latter will acquire a major stake of Adfactory Group.
According to Jan Mägi, the Founder and CEO of Adfactory, the transaction is an important milestone for the company and will help to generate added value for Adfactory's customers, employees, and suppliers. "Adfactory and Marahrens will become strategic partners. The product portfolios of both companies complement each other well as Adfactory has extensive experience in land-based signage whereas Marahrens is the leading supplier of maritime signage. The strategic partnership will provide mutual knowledge transfer and create technological synergies that enhances both manufacturing and distribution capabilities in the Nordic and Baltic region," explained Mägi, who will also continue as Chairman of the Board and majority shareholder of Adfactory Group.
According to Jan-Christian Hashagen, Managing Partner of the Marahrens Group, Adfactory's strong development and drive in recent years has been very impressive. "This transaction is a very exciting step for our group, which is part of our growth plans and our ambition to expand into both Northern and Western European countries. We look forward to continuing to grow with Jan Mägi and his professional team," explained Hashagen.
After the closing of the transaction, the plan is to expand the group's product portfolio and manufacturing base as Adfactory seeks both organic and acquisitive growth in the years ahead.
Adfactory was founded in 2009 with the mission to provide complete solutions for illuminated advertising. Over the past 14 years, the company has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers in the Baltics, producing both illuminated and non-illuminated advertising solutions and special furniture for the retail industry. Adfactory is headquartered in Tallinn and employs 20 people. More than 50 percent of the company's revenue is generated through exports.
Adfactory serves a wide range of industries and customers in the Nordic, Baltic and Western European countries, and growing exports currently account for more than 50% of the company's revenues. The company has provided signage and advertising solutions for various global and international brands, including Google, Lido, O'Learys, Vapiano, ALSO, Sportland, Ballzy, Apollo, Swedbank, Tallink, Infortar, Prisma, Eften Capital and many others. Adfactory's headquarters and modern production facilities are located in Tallinn, Estonia.
Founded in 1949, the Marahrens Group is a family-owned industrial company that provides hiqh-quality signage solutions for customers from a variety of industries worldwide. Marahrens caters three business areas: land based signage, advertising systems, industrial signs and housing parts, decorative and safety-related signage for the maritime industry as well as a mail order business for safety marking and occupational safety. Marahrens is the leading supplier of maritime signage, supplying signage for cruise ships, superyachts, passenger ferries, expedition vessels and offshore platforms. The company has offices in Germany, the USA and Finland, with exclusive distributors in China and Singapore, and employs more than 230 people.
Adfactory Group and its shareholders were advised by LionCliff Capital and COBALT.
LionCliff Capital is a Nordic investment banking firm that provides advice and services to help clients with mergers & acquisitions (M&A), financing and other transactions. LionCliff Capital provides financial services to diversified client base that includes large corporations and emerging companies, government agencies, institutional investors and individuals. LionCliff Capital acts for clients throughout the Nordics and Baltics from its hubs in Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
Further information:
Mihkel Piirsoo
Co-Founder and Partner
Tel: +372 56 800 421
E-mail: mihkel.piirsoo@lioncliff.com
