The Netherlands has a strong high-tech sector, especially when it comes to semiconductors, sensor technology and high-tech systems. The sector is also popular for M&A with a strong outlook driven by a number of trends. New technologies like IoT, big data and machine learning put pressure on companies to innovate at an ever higher pace. Important motivations for M&A in the high-tech sector are: acquiring a core technology, supply chain consolidation and general consolidation.

1. * Data and further analyses based upon transactions until 31-12-2017.
High Tech│M&A│Insights
Sector activity, February 2018*
Strong M&A outlook for Dutch high-tech sector
The Netherlands has a strong high-tech sector, especially when it
comes to semiconductors, sensor technology and high-tech systems.
The sector is also popular for M&A with a strong outlook driven by a
number of trends. New technologies like IoT, big data and machine
learning put pressure on companies to innovate at an ever higher
pace. Important motivations for M&A in the high-tech sector are:
acquiring a core technology, supply chain consolidation and general
consolidation.
In terms of transactions in the Dutch M&A landscape we see:
The high-tech sector does not stick to regional
boundaries; nearly all transactions have an international
character.
High Tech is a healthy sector with improving valuations
and stable profit margins. EBITDA margin is above 10%
on average for the 5th
year in a row.
In terms of the European M&A landscape we see:
Approximately half of all deals in the High Tech sector
cross national boundaries. European high-tech
companies are most popular with buyers from Germany,
the United Kingdom and France. The Netherlands ranks
7th
.
Most deals are conducted in the Industrial Machinery
sector. Followed by the Electronic Equipment and
Construction Machinery sectors.
Valuations increase steadily in the European sector.
Multiples are the highest in 5 years.
For our in-depth analysis of transactions in the Dutch Tech sector
please refer to our publication on "Mergers and acquisitions in High
Tech Holland"
Germany
19%
United
Kingdom
13%
France
14%United States
11%
Sweden
7%
Switzerland
5%
Netherlands
4%
Other
27%
Buyers of European high-tech targets (2017)
Industrial
Machinery
39%
Electronic
Equipment
13%
Construction
Machinery
10%
Technology
Distributors
8%
Electrical
Components
8%
Other
22%
Sub-sectors of European high-tech transactions
(2017)
1450
1484
1580 1594
1441
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
no.ofdeals
European high-tech transactions
Transactions % Cross-border % Financial Buyer
47
58
64
41
49
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
no.ofdeals
Dutch high-tech transactions
Transactions % Cross-border % financial buyer
9,9x 9,8x
9,8x
10,8x
11,8x
7,9x
9,2x
8,8x
9,2x 9,7x
x
2x
4x
6x
8x
10x
12x
14x
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
High-tech valuation multiples Europe
Enterprise value /EBITDA Trading
Enterprise value /EBITDA Transaction
12,0%
8,7%
10,5%
8,1%
10,9%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Average profit margins high-tech sector in the
Netherlands
Revenue growth % EBITDA % EBIT %

2. Overview of selected transactions
Sub-sector Announced Date Target Buyer
Heavy Electrical Equipment 01-02-2018 Santon Holland B.V. discoverIE Group plc
Santon designs and develops switches and electro-mechanical switchgear.Santon will operate in the Design and Manufacturing division of discoverIE.
Technology Distributors 31-01-2018 Data Vision of Batenburg Mechatronica B.V. Stemmer Imaging AG
Data vision develops camera technologies and components and is acquired by the German company Stemmer Imaging AG
Application Software 16-01-2018 Swyx Solutions AG Waterland Private Equity Investments B.V.
Swyz Solutions develops communication software for small to medium sized companies
Technology Distributors 01-01-2018 CRYPSYS Data Security B.V. Infinigate Holding AG
Crypsys distributes ICT security products and solutions. By the acquisition, Infinigate is able to enter the northern European market
Technology Distributors 29-12-2017 Phenom-world BV Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc
Phenom-World provides electron microscopes in Europe and North America. The business will be integrated into the Thermo Fisher’s Analytical Instruments segment
Application Software 17-12-2017 Gemalto N.V. Thales S.A.
Gemalto N.V. provides digital security products and service worldwide. The combined Group will have more than 28,000 engineers and 3,00 researchers. Thales will combine its digital business into Gemalto.
Electronic Equipment 17-12-2017 Kipp & Zonen B.V. OTT Hydromet GmbH
Kipp & Zonen produces solar radiation and atmospheric measurement instruments. OTT will gain expertise in this field by means of the acquisition.
Machinery 18-12-2017 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. McDermott International, Inc
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company provides conceptual design, technology, engineering, fabrication, modularization and construction. The combination will create a fully vertically integrated onshore-offshore company.
Electronic Equipment 08-12-2017 Rohasys B.V. Porvair plc
Porvair has acquired Rohasys to gain expertise in the area of “robotic sample handling” for the laboratory division
Application Software 20-11-2017 Smart Robotics Vanderlande Industries B.V.
Smart Robotics engages in software and rental services for robotics.
Electronic Equipment 17-11-2017 Avantes Holding B.V. m-u-t AG
Aventes develops and manufactures spectrometers and light sources. M-u-t AG acquired the remaining 25% stake in Avantes Holding.
Electrical Components 07-11-2017 Gavita Holdings B.V. Hathrone Gardening B.V.
Gavita manufactures lighting for greenhouses in Europe and the United States. Hwathrone gardening acquired the remaining 5% stake in Gavita for 62.42 EU for a total Equiry Value of 1,248.48
Systems Software 16-08-2017 Scyfer B.V. Qualcomm Technologies, inc
Scyfer develops artificial intelligence systems for the manufacturing industry. Qualcomm acquired Scyfer in order to apply artificial intelligence to semiconductor technology.
Industrial Machinery 18-07-2017 Pneutec B.V. Aalberts Industries N.V.
Aalberts strengthens its position as supplier of ASML by the acquisition of Pneutec, which is a manufacturer of pneumatic, vacuum and electronic systems for machines and production lines.
Electrical Machinery 03-04-2017 NetWave Systems B.V. McDuro Limited/ Orolia
Orolia is market leader in the supply of Voyage Data Recorderrs for the maritime sector. Supply chain consolidation is the transaction rationale for Orolia. Grant Thornton acted as advisor for NetWave
Industrial Machinery 23-03-2017 Vanderlande Inustries Holding B.V. Toyota Inudstries Corporation
Vanderlande is a leading manufacturer of baggage handling ststems for airports. Toyota acquired Vanderlande for economies of scale purposes.