Bryan, Garnier & Co advises Locatel in its merger with Hoist Technology

PARIS, FRANCE, April 11th, 2014 – Bryan, Garnier & Co, the independent pan-European Investment bank focusing on growth companies, announces the merger of Locatel, the leading French supplier of multimedia solutions for high-end hospitality and healthcare sectors, with its Swedish counterpart, Hoist Technology.

 Bryan, Garnier & Co acts as exclusive financial advisor to Locatel’s shareholders.

The newly created group, based in Stockholm, and renamed HoistLocatel, with a staff of around 500 people, will have annual sales of 100 MEUR and manage an installed base of 400,000 rooms. HoistLocatel becomes then the first European player, covering 14 countries with an extended offer of products and services.

This association will strongly benefit to the Group capabilities in product research & development, with increased efforts towards the development of interactive and mobile TV, internet and hospitality software, as well as strengthening its leading position both in Europe and in the Middle East.

HoistLocatel will be a “One Stop Shop” service provider of system solutions and products, installation, service and support, as well as hosting, IT services and financing solutions. The group is already strongly involved in the hospitality segment and will benefit from a unique position, providing also convergent IT solutions for health care and public operations.

Bryan, Garnier & Co was mandated by Locatel’s shareholders to set up a competitive process between international partners that would enable the group to leverage and strengthen its development both in Europe and worldwide (notably in the US and in Asia). Virginie Lazès, Managing Partner at Bryan, Garnier & Co, stated: « We have been mandated in 2013 by TCR Capital to find an acquirer or industrial support to Locatel. Given the strong relationship they have built since 2012, Hoist Technology soon appeared to be the best partner for Locatel.”

The merger has evolved through the successful business alliance that the parties formed in 2012. M. Malcolm Lindblom, CEO of Hoist Technology, stated: « After over a year of successful partnership with Locatel this is a natural step that will benefit our customers across Europe. Our goal is to service all sizes of hotels, both independently operated and chains, with the most advanced systems to support each customer’s profitability.»

M. Pierre Lestage, CEO of Locatel, stated: « Our aim is to provide complete solutions which will increase our clients’ profitability and as a full service provider we have the required resources to handle every part of a business deal, from marketing and sales to installation and support and this is our clients’ guarantee of a safe and long-term investment.»

For more information, please contact:

Virginie Lazès – Managing Partner

vlazes@bryangarnier.com | +33 1 56 68 75 85

Audrey Gennequin – Director

agennequin@bryangarnier.com | +33 1 56 68 75 27

Bertrand Schapiro – Senior Associate

bschapiro@bryangarnier.com | +33 1 56 68 75 08

Armelle de Tinguy – Analyst

adetinguy@bryangarnier.com | +33 1 56 68 75 62

About HoistLocatel 

HoistLocatel develops and supplies systems, products and services to independently operated hotels and hotel chains, health care institutions and public operations on the European market and in the Middle East.

The company offers complete solutions and systems, products and services that increase profitability for the customers.

HoistLocatel is the result of the merger of Hoist Technology, which was founded in 1994, and Locatel, which was founded in 1962. It is based out of Sweden (HQ) and covers 14 countries in Europe and the Middle East.

HoistLocatel also has a purchasing office in China and is represented by distributors in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. HoistLocatel has annual sales of around 100 MEUR and employs about 500 staff.