Gimv : obtains majority interest in specialised staffing agency IMPACT and project sourcing organisation Nova Engineering

Gimv acquires a controlling interest in the specialised and fast-growing Belgian staffing agency IMPACT and Nova Engineering. This transaction reflects the group's move towards autonomy and the desire to further increase its office network, as well as a potential international expansion. Central to IMPACT's growth strategy are its proximity, a personal approach and a focus on specialised technical, construction and office positions for mid-sized growth companies. Gimv will acquire a majority stake alongside the management.

IMPACT (www.impact.be) was founded in 1999 and was owned by the Dutch Humares Group since 2006. As a provider of professional services, the group focuses primarily on technical and construction jobs as well as bottleneck functions in the administrative segment. Clients are typically industrial firms whose ambitious plans require a modern HR policy with a mix of solutions (specialised technical profiles, appropriate training, digitalisation). IMPACT and Nova act as focused partners providing them with the right people, recruiting both locally and internationally. With a focus on quality and their recruiters' technical roots, IMPACT and Nova provide a competitive edge. The company currently has 17 locations (mainly in business parks) and 100 employees realising a turnover of EUR 67 million (2017). With the aid of a well-defined expansion strategy, the company aims to almost double its turnover over the next five years.

'Our past course, specialising in technology, construction and office jobs, has clearly proved itself very successful. The human dimension of our company, the commitment of our teams in combination with our quality approach and focus enables us to find the right candidates, either in Belgium or abroad. The partnership with Gimv will provide us with the autonomy and means to realize our ambition to be recognized as the leading technical player, both in Belgium and abroad,' says IMPACT CEO Eric Dantinne.

Dirk Dewals, Head of Gimv's Connected Consumer team, on this transaction: 'In our portfolio we are consistently confronted with the need for specialist staff at innovative, export-oriented growth companies. IMPACT fills this gap by focusing specifically on this segment, with personal proximity and relevant sector expertise, thereby accommodating the growth of its mid-market clients.'

He adds: 'For us, as Connected Consumer team, it was equally important to notice IMPACT's differentiation towards the candidate workers. Nowadays potential employees do not expect a long list of generic vacancies; they want tailor-made advice. This advice should consider their individual skills, values and aspirations, both short and long-term, including the possibility of permanent employment. Needless to state that we are very pleased that IMPACT's management team has chosen to partner with Gimv for their next growth phase. We aim to support IMPACT's ambitious expansion plans by leveraging our prior experience with the temping sector and digital service models.'

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the competition authorities. No further financial details on the transaction will be announced.