Gilde Acquires BlueCielo ECM Solutions

Gilde today announces the acquisition through a management buyout of BlueCielo ECM Solutions BV from a group of financial and private shareholders.

Utrecht (I-Newswire) July 19, 2012 - Gilde today announces the acquisition through a management buyout of BlueCielo ECM Solutions BV from a group of financial and private shareholders. BlueCielo develops and markets Asset Information Management solutions to owners and operators. Its solutions help customers to manage their assets more efficiently, thereby realizing significant cost savings, improving compliance and mitigating risk. Key considerations influencing the acquisition were BlueCielo’s strong position in the marketplace and solid financial performance that form an excellent basis for future growth in the coming years. The consideration paid will not be disclosed.

BlueCielo was founded in the Netherlands in 1985 and is one of the leading providers of Asset Information Management solutions. Its products, led by the flagship solution BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise are sold to over 1,800 customers in over 50 countries. Key customers include Fortune 500 companies in the Oil & Gas, Energy and Pharmaceutical industries. BlueCielo has a global reach with sales offices in Europe, Brazil and the USA, which are complemented by a select group of resellers.

Rainer Puittinen, Chief Executive Officer of BlueCielo, states: “the acquisition by Gilde is an important step in our international growth strategy. With our global reach, top notch client base and product offering we are at the forefront of high and sustainable growth. Our customers are confronted by an ever increasing demand for regulatory compliance. Moreover, there is an increasing need to maximize efficiencies in both the construction and management of large capital assets. For both challenges BlueCielo offers a unique and proven solution.”

About Gilde Equity Management Benelux
Gilde Equity Management Benelux is a private equity investor, focused on realizing midmarket management buyouts in the Benelux region, with EUR 500 million of assets under management. Examples of investments are Dunlop Protective Footwear, the European market leader in protective footwear operating under the Dunlop brand; HG International, a branded supplier of specialist cleaning products and Nspyre, the largest independent provider of technical and industrial automation services. In June 2012, GEM Benelux sold - after six years - its shareholding in Johma, a successful buy-and-build investment, creating the leading manufacturer of (chilled) spreadable salads in the Benelux.

For more information

Gilde Equity Management (GEM) Benelux
Gerhard Nordemann, Managing Partner
Tel. +31 (0)030 219 2555
Website: www.gembenelux.com
E-mail: gerhard.nordemann@gilde.nl

BlueCielo ECM Solutions BV
Rainer Puittinen, Chief Executive Officer
Tel. +31 (0)70 4133 700
Website: www.bluecieloecm.com
E-mail: rainer.puittinen@bluecieloecm.com