30 November 2017

ARTHOS advises Data Respons on its acquisition of EPOS CAT

Strengthening Data Respons’ position within industrial digitalization and R&D services
Data Respons ASA has today signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in EPOS CAT GmbH, a German software technology and R&D services company with 100 employees headquartered in Ingolstadt. The company is a leading specialist provider to the automotive industry offering advanced computer aided testing (CAT), R&D IT services, software development and systems integration.

ARTHOS acted as exclusive financial adviser to Data Respons in this transaction. ARTHOS provided full buyside advisory services including evaluating strategic goals to define ideal search criteria, pursue an extensive company screening process, analyzing and approaching 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.

Kenneth Ragnvaldsen, CEO of the Data Respons group says: “With this acquisition, we continue to expand our footprint in Germany, the largest market in Europe. EPOS CAT is a highly regarded industrial digitalization specialist to the automotive industry offering a wide range of services including advanced digital measuring and testing solutions assisting the continuous R&D processes, a cost efficient solution ensuring high quality in the software development. Their specialist competence offers great synergies and strengthens Data Respons’ position as a complete technology partner for industrial digitalization, smarter embedded and IoT solutions.”

Günter See, Managing Director of EPOS CAT added: “Data Respons shares the same value and vision as we have built our company on over the last 17 years. Both companies are developing and implementing innovative technology solutions for the future in close collaboration with our customers. Joining forces with Data Respons will enable us to capitalize on our knowledge and expand into new industries and markets.”

Kenneth Ragnvaldsen concludes: “I am very pleased to welcome EPOS CAT to the Data Respons family. They have 100 specialists, which will contribute and strengthen the core asset of our company – competent people. I am confident that we jointly can take on large ground breaking technology projects and create highly valuable smarter digital solutions for our customers.”

About Data Respons
Data Respons is a full-service, independent technology company and a leading player in the IoT, industrial digitalization and the embedded solutions market. We provide R&D services and embedded solutions to OEM companies, system integrators and vertical product suppliers in a range of market segments such as Medical, Industry Automation, Smart grid/Smart home, Bank and Insurance, Automotive/Transport, Defense, Maritime, Energy and Telecommunications. 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 EPOS CAT
Founded in 2000, EPOS CAT GmbH is a leading specialist provider to the automotive industry offering advanced computer aided testing (CAT), R&D IT services, software development and systems integration with offices in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
www.epos-cat.de

About ARTHOS
ARTHOS is an independent M&A advisory firm and specialist for digital media, IT and industrial technologies 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 AICA – the global Alliance of International Corporate Advisers.