Vehco accelerates growth through new strategic owner AddSecure

Vehco, one of the largest pan-european providers of telematics systems, accelerates its growth through AddSecure who acquired Vehco on May 22, 2018. With the new owner, Vehco now has the structure and the financial strength to become the largest provider of systems for fleet management in Europe to heavy commercial vehicles (HCV).

The AddSecure Group acquires leading European Fleet Management specialist Vehco to support its continued expansion. The acquisition will further strengthen Vehco’s extensive growth within telematics for fleets with commercial vehicles. The acquisition will support Vehco’s expansion into new markets and product areas as well as the implementation of new cost-effective business models and Vehco’s development capacity.

“This acquisition is part of our strategy to expand our position in attractive markets and IoT verticals. With Vehco in our portfolio, the AddSecure Group becomes an even stronger player within IoT and especially within telematics,” said Stefan Albertsson, CEO, the AddSecure Group.

“Through the acquisition, both companies can take advantage of the opportunities within Vehco’s extensive growth plans. We can now accelerate our plan to become the largest provider of FMS to the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) market segment in Europe. Furthermore, Vehco and our customers, will benefit from the comprehensive experience and technical expertise that the AddSecure Group provides. Our business strategies, success definitions and customers are a good match”, said Magnus Orrebrant, CEO, Vehco.

Vehco was founded in 2001 at Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship atChalmers University of Technology (Sweden) and Chalmers Ventures is a main investor. Over the years Vehco has grown to become a well-positioned European actor in telematics.

“The shareholders were looking for an acquirer with the capital and infrastructure to support further growth and scale. With the AddSecure Group as owners Vehco’s potential will best be realised”, said Ulrika N. Everingham, Investment Manager, Chalmers Ventures, one of the majority owners.

Vehco will be part of the AddSecure Group, but will continue to be run and managed as a separate company and brand. Vehco’s CEO, Magnus Orrebrant, will take place in the AddSecure Group’s Corporate Management Team and report directly to the Group’s CEO, Stefan Albertsson.

The transaction is the AddSecure Group’s fifth acquisition in the secure critical communications sector in recent years. In 2016, the AddSecure Group acquired the UK based company Chiron Security Communications and Swedish Smart Grid Networks. In 2017, the Group successfully closed the acquisition of Contal Security in Sweden and a carve out of Finnish Prevent 360.”