H.I.G. Capital Supports Infinigate’s Expansion Strategy
HAMBURG – February 24, 2017 – H.I.G. Capital, LLC (“H.I.G.”), a leading global private equity and alternative asset investment firm with more than €20 billion of equity capital under management and Infinigate, a leading European value added distributor (VAD) in the IT security segment, announced today that they have entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Infinigate is based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, and was founded in 1996 as the first distributor of internet technology solutions in Europe. Since 2002, it has focused on the distribution of IT security solutions to protect and defend IT networks, servers, devices, data and cloud applications. The Infinigate Group now has more than 250 employees in nine European countries – including Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the Scandinavian countries.
Infinigate operates as a VAD between global vendors of IT security software and local specialist IT resellers. The firm offers vendors an extensive channel partner network and provides valuable support in selling IT security solutions through services and consulting in the areas of technology, marketing, sales, training programmes and professional support.
H.I.G. will support the management team of Infinigate over the coming years as the company strives to maintain its steep growth trajectory by expanding its presence in new and existing geographical markets. Infinigate will benefit from the strategic and financial resources of H.I.G. as well as its experience in implementing successful buy and build strategies. In addition, Infinigate will have access to H.I.G.’s substantial expertise and extensive network in the technology sector. The Infinigate management team, headed by founder and CEO David Martinez, will continue to lead the company in the future.
Dr. Holger Kleingarn, Managing Director at H.I.G., commented on the transaction:
“Infinigate has demonstrated impressive performance over the past two decades. The European IT security solutions market has enormous growth potential. H.I.G. will support Infinigate in continuing to share in that growth and pushing ahead with its geographical expansion through organic growth as well as acquisitions. H.I.G. is very much looking forward to the partnership and cooperation with Mr. Martinez and his team.”
David Martinez, the founder and CEO of Infinigate, added:
“On the basis of our strong historical track record, we have decided to accelerate our European expansion strategy over the coming years backed by an investor that supports our strategy as well as our position in the market. We are delighted to partner with H.I.G., an experienced global investor, in implementing this strategy. Through the partnership, Infinigate will benefit not only from H.I.G.’s financial resources, but also from its substantial experience in the technology sector, in the development of new markets and, most importantly, in new acquisitions.”
H.I.G. will acquire a significant shareholding in Infinigate as part of the strategic partnership. The transaction is subject to approval by the regulatory authorities. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Infinigate
Infinigate is a leading European value added distributor (VAD) of IT security solutions. Following a number of successful market entries and acquisitions, Infinigate aims to continue driving forward its strategy of geographical expansion across Europe. Today, the Infinigate Group has more than 250 employees and operations in nine European countries.
As a true value added distributor, Infinigate focuses on and supports innovative, best of breed security solutions that require an advanced level of expertise and knowledge. Infinigate offers a complete service to its partners and vendors to complement its product portfolio with dedicated technical, marketing, sales and professional services. The product portfolio includes firewalls, VPN, intrusion prevention, encryption, virus protection, email security and content security.
Infinigate is regarded by IT security vendors as one of the most important VADs in Europe. The excellent relationships with vendors and channel partners are a result of Infinigate’s ability to develop and gain access to markets for new and innovative IT security solutions. The company’s success is also reflected in its extensive and growing international network of active channel partners. For more information, please refer to the Infinigate website at www.infinigate.com.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity and alternative assets investment firm with more than €20 billion of equity capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/ value-added approach:
- H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
- H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
- H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of €28 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.hig.com.
* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.