Friday 7. July 2023
Longship has successfully divested Garda Sikring
Longship Fund I (“Longship”) has, as of June 30th, 2023, divested 100% of its shares in Garda Sikring Holding AS and its subsidiaries (“Garda”) to EMK Capital (“EMK”).
Garda is a leading perimeter security company with operations in Norway and Finland. The company was established by Longship when six perimeter security companies and one road safety company were combined to create the market leading player in Norway. Garda expect to deliver revenues of more than NOK 1 billion in 2023 with strong profitability, representing a tripling in size since the original establishment of the group in 2017. Garda has undergone a significant transformation, including legal and organizational restructuring, centralization of procurement, implementation of digital systems, employee education programs, sustainability initiatives, cross-utilization of resources, and other value-added offerings. During Longship’s ownership period, Garda has become the clear Nordic leader within physical security and is positioned for further expansion.
“We are proud of the leading position Garda has taken. It has been an exciting journey supporting Garda in its establishment and initial growth phase. We are confident that the company is well-positioned for continued strong development in the Nordics and beyond.”, says Espen Stenumgård, partner in Longship.
“We have enjoyed the cooperation with Longship and their support to build the Nordic champion within physical security. Together with Longship, we have built the strongest integrated platform in the Nordics and completed several accretive and synergistic add-ons. Garda has become a company and a journey that all stakeholders can be proud of.”, says Jon Ola Stokke, CEO of Garda.
About Longship:
Longship is a Norwegian private equity investor established in 2015. Longship invests in companies with significant growth potential in the Norwegian lower mid-market, and is applying a transformational growth approach, organically and through M&A. Longship pursue a thematic investment strategy, supporting long-term sustainable businesses within Technology and Digitalization, Sustainability, Leisure and Lifestyle, and Health and Care. The investment team consists of eleven professionals, making Longship the leading player in the Norwegian lower mid-market. Longship closed its third fund in January 2023 and has approx. NOK 5.2bn of assets under management.