Actief Interim acquires ISU Group

Actief Interim, one of the fastest growing independent staffing companies in the Benelux, acquired ISU Group in Germany, a leading temporary employment company with strong regional presence in the Baden-Wuerttemberg, Thuringia and Saxony states, from BayernLB Capital Partner and management. This acquisition represents a first step for Actief Interim on the German market after a successful growth path in Belgium and the Netherlands.

For Actief Interim, the acquisition of ISU Group represents an excellent opportunity to accelerate its growth ambitions and become a true Western European player.

Founder of ISU Group, Manfred Unser, is pleased with Actief Interim as the new shareholder: “I’m confident that ISU Group will continue its successful growth path and I believe that the ISU Group management team can successfully partner with Actief Interim to reach national coverage in Germany”. CEO and Managing Director Heiko Harms on the fit between both companies: “As from the start it became clear that Actief Interim’s focus and strategy on SMEs, entrepreneurship and strong local-for local approach was very complementary to ISU Group”.

CEO Mark Maesen of Actief Interim explains why Actief Interim invests in ISU Group: “Over the past 25 years Actief Interim has grown from a small local player to a successful internationally operating temporary staffing company. After our two recent acquisitions of TiP and Tence in the Netherlands, we are ready to take the next step and enter the German market. ISU Group’s profound expertise in general temporary staffing focused on the ‘German Mittelstand’ is very similar to the focus of Actief Interim. We are convinced that our proactive approach based on local entrepreneurship, long-term partnerships, quality, service and mutual trust provides a basis for successful growth in Germany as well. I very much look forward to pursue expansion in Germany with Heiko Harms and his team”.

About ISU Group

ISU Group, founded in 1989, is an independent personnel service provider with strong regional presence in the Baden-Wuerttemberg, Thuringia and Saxony states. Over the years, ISU Group grew both organically and through acquisitions to what it is today: a group realizing more than EUR 70 million of sales with 19 branches, active in a broad spectrum of sectors, ranging from highly qualified skilled workers for technical and industrial areas and commercial staff to qualified employees for production and logistics. Clients comprise renowned ‘German Mittelstand’ companies with whom longstanding relationships exist. Currently, the group operates through two brand names: ISU Personaldienstleistungen and Fischer & Funke.

About Actief Interim

Actief Interim is one of the largest independent and fastest-growing staffing companies in the Benelux, realizing over EUR 300 million of sales. Actief delivers a professional link between supply and demand on the labor market and offers companies an optimal and flexible service in their search for personnel. Over the past 25 years, Actief Interim established a leading position in Belgium, with a network of 64 offices across the country and more than 300 permanent employees. Backed by its majority shareholder Gilde Equity Management Benelux, Actief Interim made its first footstep outside of Belgium in 2014 with the acquisition of TiP Personeelsdiensten. Recently, Actief strengthened its footprint in the Netherlands with the acquisition of Tence, bringing the total number of offices in the Netherlands to 22. In combination with ISU Group, Actief Interim will realize a combined turnover of more than EUR 400 million spread over three countries.

About BayernLB Capital Partner

BayernLB Capital Partner is a subsidiary of BayernLB and has been specializing in comprehensive investment concepts for successful small and medium enterprises for over 40 years. The funds of BayernLB Capital Partner provide equity solutions, which are tailored to the individual needs of growth-oriented companies, from one source. The spectrum includes succession and growth financing in form of majority and minority interests as well as mezzanine capital.