Tech company continues expansion with manufacturing acquisition

Brandenburg acquired by Pelsis Group

Growing global pest control technology company Pelsis Group has completed its first acquisition of 2022 with the purchase of Brandenburg, a leading manufacturer of flying and biting insect control systems, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal, which is the second in two months for Knaresborough headquartered firm, following the acquisition of Spanish businesses Sanitrade and Vesta Distribuciones and supports the firm’s growth strategy described by the CEO as “adding companies that are leaders in their category”.

Following the acquisition, Brandenburg which is based near Dudley but also has a facility in Saint Charles, Missouri and a manufacturing plant in the Pune region of India, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pelsis, meaning the business has a turnover approaching €200m and employs more than 700 people across 18 sites located throughout Western Europe, the US and India.

The deal comes less than six months after Pamplona Capital Management acquired the business in September, and follows an acquisitive period for the business which saw it purchase Lyon-based pest control supplier Edialux France in February and California-based manufacturer of humane bird deterrents Bird-B-Gone in May.

Pelsis Group CEO, Derek Whitworth

The news of the new acquisition comes as the technology group also announced Derek Whitworth had been appointed interim CEO replacing Andrew Milner.

Whitworth who was previously CEO of TMD Fricton a tier one supplier to the automotive sector and executive chairman of automotive remanufacturer BBB Industries from 2014 to 2017, said of that Brandenburg shares similar goals, values and aspirations for the future as Pelsis.

He added: “We see great potential for ongoing growth opportunities and there are many clear benefits of working together that will provide customers with enhanced levels of product innovation, service and support.”

Brandenburg founder and chief executive, Mathew Kaye, said: “It has been a long and rewarding journey to have built Brandenburg into the company it is today.

“We feel that our business is ready for the next stage in its journey. Joining the Pelsis Group presents a great opportunity for deep collaboration and further investment in product innovation. Ultimately, it improves our ability to grow and develop our business to serve our customers even better. We are very excited about the future.”

Jan-Derck van Karnebeek

Pelsis has also confirmed the appointment of Jan-Derck van Karnebeek as the company’s interim chief commercial officer. He is a 19-year veteran of The Heineken Company, culminating in six years as the global CCO.

Pelsis chairman, Martin Schwab, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Derek and Jan-Derck to Pelsis and look forward to accelerating the development of the company as a major international player in the global pest control industry.

“The Board of Pelsis would like to thank Andrew Milner for his impressive work in building the company since he joined in 2019.”

Pelsis was advised on the legal and financial aspects of the Brandenburg acquisition by DLA Piper and EY respectively.

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