NEA Group
COGNOS advised NEA Group on the sale to DMS Group
Cognos has advised NEA group on the sale to DMS group, a portfolio company of the Private Equity investor Avedon capital.
The market for process-oriented services in the energy industry is undergoing major changes and is characterized by a high degree of regulatory complexity. Energy companies are under pressure to efficiently implement legal requirements regarding market communication, billing, and data protection. At the same time, the energy transition and digitalization are creating greater momentum: decentralized generation, smart meter infrastructure, and new market roles are leading to increasingly complex data flows. Service providers must not only have in-depth process and industry knowledge, but also technological expertise in automation, IT integration, and data management.
Since its foundation around 20 years ago, the NEA Group has focused on providing independent services for the energy and housing industries, with a particular emphasis on process and billing services. With its in-depth understanding of the industry and a high level of process expertise, NEA supports its customers in designing complex energy management processes that are efficient, secure, and compliant with legal requirements.
The merger of DMS and NEA has created one of the most powerful providers for the German energy industry, with around 1,500 employees and comprehensive knowledge and resources covering the entire meter-to-cash process chain. By bundling their offerings, they will be able to provide even more powerful solutions in business process outsourcing, digitalization, and automation in the future. The strategic goal is to offer so-called “hybrid services” with a combination of skilled employees and high-performance automation solutions.
Quantum Partners has extensive experience in supporting transactions in the business services sector and acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholders of the NEA Group during the process.
About NEA
With over 400 employees at several locations in Germany and branches in Romania and Spain, the NEA Group acts as a partner in the digitalization of the energy transition. Its portfolio includes customer service, market communication, billing, receivables management, and training services.
About DMS
The DMS Group, a portfolio company of private equity investor Avedon Capital Partners, is a leading service provider in the energy industry specializing in business process outsourcing (BPO), automation solutions, strategic consulting, and training for utilities, network operators, and metering point operators.
About Avedon
Avedon Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on German and Dutch SMEs. Avedon provides equity capital to niche market leaders and actively supports them in their growth, the implementation of buy-and-build strategies, and internationalization.
About Quantum Partners, one of the German member firms of Cognos
Quantum Partners GmbH, headquartered in Munich, is a specialized corporate finance advisor that supports clients in company transactions as well as in finding financing.
