Business & Tech-enabled Services, M&A

Bryan, Garnier & Co acts as Sole Financial Advisor to Sobro and its co-shareholders in the sale of Dafo Vehicle to United Safety & Survivability Corporation

Dafo Vehicle has a proven legacy of pioneering fire safety solutions for heavy vehicles, a journey that began in 1976.

The group began offering integrated fire suppression systems for vehicles in 1976, marking a pivotal advancement in its capabilities. In 2018, Dafo Vehicle was established as an independent entity to focus exclusively on vehicle fire protection. Sobro acquired a majority ownership stake in Dafo Vehicle in 2019.

Dafo Vehicle is a leading global manufacturer of advanced fire detection and suppression systems for the heavy vehicle industry. The company delivers both custom-designed and off-the-shelf solutions, ensuring safety and reliability in even the most challenging environments. 

Trusted by industries such as material handling, mining and construction, buses and coaches, and forestry and agriculture, Dafo Vehicle’s state-of-the-art systems are engineered to safeguard a wide range of vehicle types and applications. This commitment to innovation and dependability has solidified the company’s position as a market leader. 

As part of USSC, Dafo Vehicle will enhance the group’s portfolio of cutting-edge safety solutions while expanding its global reach and market presence.

Bryan, Garnier & Co acts as the Sole Financial Advisor to Sobro and its co-shareholders in the sale of Dafo Vehicle to United Safety & Survivability Corporation, a company backed by Cogenuity.

Bryan, Garnier & Co conducted a competitive process involving Tier 1 financial sponsors and trade buyers. Bryan, Garnier & Co advised Sobro on deal strategy, buyer selection, due diligence management, transaction structure, and contract negotiations. 

This marks another landmark transaction for Bryan, Garnier & Co’s Business & Tech-Enabled Services practice and further highlights its expertise in private equity-led deals.

Dafo Vehicle, founded as a stand-alone company in 2018 following its carve-out from Dafo, which was established in 1919, specialises in advanced fire detection and suppression systems for heavy-duty vehicles across high-risk industries. Their comprehensive solutions include risk analysis, system design, delivery, training, installation, and after-sales support, ensuring tailored protection for each application. 

The company’s cutting-edge systems are widely trusted across heavy vehicle industries, with core business segments including material handling, mining and construction, buses and coaches, and forestry and agriculture. 

Dafo Vehicle is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with additional offices in Finland, Estonia, France, Malaysia, and the United States. The company employs more than 100 employees.

Sobro is a Swedish private equity firm founded in 2007 by Ragnar Söderberg and headquartered in Stockholm. The firm specializes in supporting entrepreneurs and management teams to grow and develop their businesses. Sobro emphasizes maintaining the independence of the companies it partners with, fostering open and trusting relationships to facilitate growth and the realization of their visions.

Sobro invests its own capital, allowing for flexible investment horizons tailored to the specific needs of each company. Since its founding, Sobro has done more than 20 investments and completed over 35 add-on acquisitions.

United Safety & Survivability Corporation (USSC) is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and offering advanced safety and survivability solutions. Specialising in cutting-edge technologies such as ergonomic seating, fire suppression systems, and air purification, USSC ensures safety and comfort in critical environments. With a mission to protect life and property, the company serves industries including public transportation, military, marine, mining, and industrial applications.

Cogenuity Partners, founded in 2023 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a private equity firm that partners with management teams to build advanced industrial businesses. The firm’s name reflects its commitment to collaborative ingenuity, emphasizing diversity of thought and background to drive growth and innovation.