Ardian buys majority stake in GBA from Quadriga

Following the deal, Quadriga will reinvest in the business and retain a minority stake, alongside the company's management team.

Ardian invested in the business via its buyout division. The GP is currently deploying Ardian Buyout Fund VII, which was launched in March 2019 with a €6bn target and a €6.5bn hard-cap.

Ardian and Quadriga plan to further grow GBA through investments in its core segments, as well as expansion into new markets and operational development. They also intend to accelerate the company's growth by pursuing a buy-and-build strategy via strategic M&A opportunities.

In September 2016, Quadriga acquired a majority stake in GBA from Adiuva Capital, which had invested in the company in 2011. The GP deployed capital from €529m fund Quadriga Capital Private Equity IV to finance the acquisition.

Under Quadriga's ownership, GBA has grown its customer base and increased its revenues, while accelerating its organic growth and widening its geographical reach through several synergetic acquisitions.

Company
Founded in 1989, GBA provides laboratory analysis to customers operating across the food and beverage, environment and pharmaceutical industries.

It specialises in bio-analytical laboratory services, offering testing, inspection and certification.

GBA is headquartered in Hamburg, with a presence in Belgium and Poland. Employing 1,400 staff, the business operates 44 laboratories in 39 locations.

People
GBA Group – Steffen Walter (CEO).
Quadriga Capital – Philipp Jacobi (managing partner).

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• Topics
• Buyouts
• DACH
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• Ardian (formerly Axa PE)
• Quadriga Capital
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