Silverfleet Capital Acquires and Invests in European Businesses

Silverfleet Capital is a European private equity firm that has been actively investing in businesses across the continent for decades. They have a strong track record of identifying and acquiring companies that have the potential to grow and thrive.

With a focus on mid-market investments, Silverfleet Capital typically invests in companies with a strong management team and a proven business model. Their investment strategy is centered around partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to drive growth and expansion.

Silverfleet Capital's investment approach is characterized by a long-term perspective, with the firm holding onto its investments for an average of 5-7 years. This allows them to take a more patient and thoughtful approach to investing, rather than seeking quick returns.

Silverfleet Capital is a regionally focused European mid-market private equity firm founded in 1985, with its headquarters in London, United Kingdom. It is an independent firm, owned by its partners, and invests on behalf of a diversified group of international institutional investors.

Silverfleet Capital specializes in mid-market private equity investment, focusing on international companies operating in various countries, where there is an opportunity to accelerate growth through buy and build and roll-out strategies. It invests across four sectors: healthcare, services, consumer, and manufacturing. The firm has a team of 7 employees, as of January 2025.

Silverfleet Capital has offices in London, Paris, Munich, and Chicago, and has a large team with a sector-agnostic approach. The firm targets companies valued between €75 and €500 million, operating in sectors spanning business and financial services, healthcare, leisure, and retail/consumer.

Here are some key stats about Silverfleet Capital's deals:

Kambourov & Partners, a law firm, advised private equity firm Silverfleet Capital on its acquisition of a majority stake in the entity resulting from the merger of Bulgarian software company Bulpros and German CRM company ec4u.

The merged company has more than 1,400 employees across 25 offices in 11 countries. This significant workforce allows the company to offer a wide range of services to its clients.

Bulpros, founded in 2010, is a digital transformation company that offers enablement of digital solutions, cybersecurity solutions, cloud migration, and managed services, as well as technology services. The company's expertise in digital transformation is a valuable asset to the merged entity.

The founders and existing management teams of both Bulpros and ec4u will remain as large shareholders and continue to operate the merged company. This continuity ensures a smooth transition and maintains the companies' existing relationships with clients and partners.

ec4u, founded in 2000, specializes in CRM and other consulting services aimed at the digital transformation of processes in marketing, sales, service, and e-commerce. The company's expertise in CRM solutions complements Bulpros' offerings and strengthens the merged entity's position in the market.

Silverfleet Capital's acquisition of a majority stake in the merged entity is a significant investment in the digital transformation industry. The private equity firm's involvement will likely provide the company with the necessary resources to further expand its services and reach.

Silverfleet Capital has made a significant move in the manufacturing sector by acquiring a majority stake in Sigma Components, a UK precision engineering components manufacturer for the commercial aerospace sector.

The acquisition is valued at £65.0 million, with Sigma's existing management, led by its founding CEO Mark Johnson, acquiring a minority interest.

Sigma operates from four sites in the UK and two sites in China, employing approximately 750 people and serving global aerospace customers including Rolls-Royce, Safran, Airbus, Bombardier, and BAE Systems.

Debt financing for the transaction is being provided by HSBC and Santander, with completion expected to occur no later than the end of May 2016.

Silverfleet Capital is an ideal partner to support Sigma in its next growth stage, according to Mark Johnson, CEO of Sigma.

The transaction was led by David MacKenzie, Partner at Silverfleet Capital, who has responsibility for the UK manufacturing sector and was supported by Sumit Dheir, Investment Executive, and Adam Ahern, Associate.

Silverfleet Capital has a strong track record of investing in manufacturing businesses, and this acquisition is an ideal opportunity to develop Sigma, which operates in a fragmented market place, both domestically and internationally.

Sigma has a team of over 40 engineers and has a strong track record of bringing new products to market, having successfully grown, both organically and by acquisition, to become an international leader in its chosen niche markets.

Silverfleet Capital has invested in several companies recently.

One notable example is the acquisition of Soricimed Biotherapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that develops cancer treatments.

In 2020, Silverfleet Capital acquired a majority stake in the company, marking a significant investment in the biotech sector.

Silverfleet Capital has also invested in the sale of its portfolio company, PHS Group, to the management team and funds advised by HgCapital.

The sale was completed in 2020, marking a successful exit for Silverfleet Capital's investors.