3 July 2019

ARTHOS advises Data Respons ASA on its acquisition of DONAT group GmbH

Strengthening Data Respons’ position within software development and industrial digitalisation
Data Respons ASA has today signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in DONAT group GmbH (“DONAT”), a German R&D Services company headquartered in Ingolstadt with more than 140 employees. The company is a leading niche provider of SW solutions and specialist services within software development and architecture, system integration and test management as well as business critical R&D IT services (DevOps).

ARTHOS acted as exclusive financial adviser to Data Respons in this transaction. ARTHOS provided full buy-side advisory services including evaluating strategic goals to define ideal search criteria, pursue an extensive company screening process, analyzing more than 30 potential strategic partners, arranging management meetings and driving the subsequent M&A process including co-ordination of the due diligence and contract negotiations. This is already the fourth successfully closed buy-side M&A project in the past four years during which ARTHOS advised Data Respons to identify and acquire a software development company in Germany that fits to their expansion strategy.

- With this transaction, we continue to strengthen our position in Germany, the largest industrial market in Europe and strategically important for Data Respons. Digitalisation and connection of vehicles, transformation of powertrains, increasing environmental- and security requirements are challenging the automotive industry to innovate at a faster pace than before. In order to keep up, the industry is investing heavily in advanced software and data-driven tools supporting an efficient development and testing of new platforms. DONAT’s deliveries are highly specialised software services and represents a business-critical part of the customer’s development process for some of Germany’s leading automotive brands, says Kenneth Ragnvaldsen, CEO of Data Respons.

- We are looking forward to becoming part of Data Respons. We share the same technology profile and culture. Both companies provide specialist services and develop niche software solutions in close cooperation with our industry leading customers. At DONAT, we focus on recruiting the best talents with a passion for technology and working in multidiscipline teams, says Hans Donat jr., CEO of DONAT group.

- We are pleased to welcome DONAT group into the Data Respons family. We have identified already several synergies with our German group companies in relation to both customer structure and competence sharing. Together we are better equipped to become a complete technology partner for our customers and contribute to the more automated, digitalized and connected solutions, Ragnvaldsen concludes.

About Data Respons
Data Respons is a full-service, independent technology company and a leading player in the IoT, Industrial digitalisation and the embedded solutions market. The company provides R&D services and smarter solutions to OEM companies, system integrators and vertical product suppliers in a range of market segments such as Transport & Automotive, Industrial Automation, Telecom & Media, Space, Defense & Security, Medtech, Energy & Maritime, and Finance & Public Sector. Data Respons ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Ticker: DAT), and is part of the information technology index. The company has offices in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Taiwan. 
www.datarespons.com

About DONAT group
Founded in 1980, DONAT group is a German R&D Services company headquartered in Ingolstadt with more than 140 employees. The company is a leading niche provider of software solutions and specialist services within software development and architecture, system integration and test management as well as business critical R&D IT services (DevOps).
www.donat-group.de

About ARTHOS
ARTHOS is an independent M&A advisory firm and specialist for digital media, IT and high-tech industries based in Munich. Since 2003, ARTHOS services customers on the buy- and sell-side regarding the acquisition or disposal of companies and business units worldwide. The partners of ARTHOS so far have successfully closed over 150 M&A transactions. ARTHOS is member of the German Association for Mergers & Acquisitions e.V. (BM&A) and AICA – the global Alliance of International Corporate Advisors.