MB Funds sells Inspecta to 3i

MB Funds is selling its holding in Inspecta to Europe’s leading mid-market private equity and venture capital company 3i. MB Funds took over as the majority owner of Inspecta in 2002 and has in five years built Inspecta into a market leader in its field in Northern Europe. Thanks to the new owner, Inspecta can now continue its growth on the international market.

Inspecta Oy is a leading Northern European provider of testing, inspection and certification services. Inspecta’s core business involves ensuring and verifying the safety, reliability, usability and quality of a variety of technical devices, assemblies, products and processes within the industrial sector, energy production, construction and retail. Since 2002, Inspecta’s majority owner has been MB Funds, with the Finnish Standards Association SFS, Sähköturvallisuuden Edistämiskeskus ry and Rakennustuotteiden Laatu RTL ry holding minority interests.

During the five years of MB Funds’ ownership, Inspecta has grown strongly and improved its profitability significantly. Turnover has more than quintupled, from 18 million to 106 million euros. Last year, 56% of Inspecta’s turnover originated from outside Finland.

“We have succeeded in our goal of making Inspecta a market leader in its field in Northern Europe. When MB Funds acquired Inspecta in 2002, the company only had a strong foothold in Finland. In five years we have managed to expand its business to the Baltic States and other Nordic Countries as well. During the five years, the number of personnel has grown from 256 to 1,092”, says Matti Mertsola, partner at MB Funds.

“As the new owner, 3i will provide Inspecta with more resources and enable the company to enter its next stage of development on the international market”, says Mertsola.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The deal still hinges on the approval of competition authorities. ABN AMRO has been acting as the sellers’ financial advisor in connection with the deal and Roschier has provided legal advice.

For more information, please contact:

Matti Mertsola
Partner, MB Funds
+358 9 1310 1343