Ipsos launches a voluntary public
takeover offer for infas to acquire the industry leader in German
public sector research
Paris, Hamburg, 23 August 2024
- Ipsos, one of the world’s leading market research companies, has
launched a voluntary public takeover offer for infas Holding AG, an
important player in the field of market, opinion and social
research in Germany.
Based in Bonn, the infas group has more than 300
employees and generated around €50 million in revenue in 2023.
Infas is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Its main
shareholders, representing about 77.52% of the ownership structure,
have already given their support to the acquisition.
Infas conducts research for companies, public
bodies and political parties. The group’s range of services
includes customised national and international studies, e.g. labour
market, education and transport research.
With almost 20,000 employees, a strong global
presence in 90 countries and over 5,000 clients worldwide, Ipsos is
one of the largest market research companies in the world. It
provides a vast pool of respondents from diverse markets, ensuring
comprehensive coverage of client needs to deliver reliable
information for a true understanding of Society, Markets and
People. In Germany, Ipsos has over 500 employees at five locations:
Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Nuremberg.
This acquisition will allow Ipsos to combine its
global reach and wide expertise with infas’s German legacy,
know-how and reputation. The infas location in Bonn will be added
to the Ipsos network. The combined structure will represent more
than 800 people and will offer its clients an even broader range of
innovative research services under the name Ipsos infas in
Germany.
Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos,
commented: “The new combined entity will be one of the
largest players in Germany, which is a key strategic growth market
for Ipsos, and will benefit from enhanced expertise, expanded
customer reach, and significant synergies. This transaction aligns
perfectly with our 2025 strategic objectives, particularly our
commitment to strengthen our leadership position in serving
governments and public sector clients. Both Ipsos and infas share a
client-centric approach and a dedication to innovation, ensuring a
strong cultural fit and a seamless integration. We are confident
this acquisition will create substantial value for the
shareholders.”
Menno Smid, CEO of
infas, does also see the
potential in a possible acquisition: “If
this transaction with Ipsos were successful, it would be a logical
evolution for infas. Both companies have built their reputations on
their commitment to customer focus, methodologically rigorous
research, and delivering insights that have a real-world impact.
This merger would allow us to amplify these strengths on a European
and global scale and leverage the combined expertise of both teams
to shape the future of market, opinion and social research. We
would be excited to bring the power of both brands to the market,
offering our clients an unparalleled level of service and insight
and offering new opportunities to our employees.”
Voluntary Public Cash Takeover
Offer
Alsterhöhe 15. V V AG (in future: Ipsos DACH
Holding AG), an Ipsos group company, has decided to launch a
voluntary public cash takeover offer for all infas shares. The
price of the public takeover offer will be € 6.80 per share.
This reflects a valuation of infas of € 61.2 million.
The final terms and conditions of the takeover
offer will be included in the offer document which must be approved
by the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). The offer
document and all further information on the takeover offer will be
available on the following website:
www.2024-offer.com
Timing and approvals
The Takeover Offer and the timetable remain subject to clearance
under applicable merger control regimes. The transaction is
expected to close by the end of 2024.
DISCLAIMER
This press release, from which no legal
consequences may be drawn, is for information purposes only. No
legal consequences of whatsoever kind shall result from this press
release. The release, publication or distribution of this press
release in certain countries may be subject to legal or regulatory
restrictions. Therefore, persons located in jurisdictions where
this press release is released, published or distributed must
inform themselves about such restrictions and comply with them.
Ipsos does not accept any responsibility for any violation of such
restrictions.
This press release contains forward-looking
statements with respect to Ipsos’s financial condition (including
taking into account the acquisition of infas Holding AG), results
of operations, business, strategy and plans. These may prove to be
inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk
factors. Ipsos and its affiliates expressly disclaim any obligation
or undertaking to disseminate updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change
in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Ipsos will not accept any responsibility for any financial
information contained in this press release relating to the
business or operations or results or financial condition of infas
Holding AG and its Group.
ABOUT IPSOS
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and
polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and
employing nearly 20,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals,
analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist
capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights
into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers,
patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are
based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring,
and qualitative or observational techniques.
“Game Changers” – our tagline – summarizes our
ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our
rapidly changing world.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed
on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of
the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, STOXX Europe 600 and is eligible for
the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).ISIN code FR0000073298,
Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com
35 rue du Val de Marne75 628 Paris, Cedex 13
FranceTel. +33 1 41 98 90 00
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