Apera supports further growth of FERNAO Group with new debt facilities

Apera Asset Management (“Apera”), a pan-European private debt investor in the mid-market space, together with Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien AG (“RLB”) proudly announce the arrangement of debt facilities for the refinancing of FERNAO Networks Holding GmbH (“FERNAO” or the “Group”), a portfolio company of funds advised by AUCTUS Capital Partners AG(“AUCTUS”).

The Group has significantly grown through several acquisitions over the last years and the new financing has been implemented to strengthen the Group’s financial position as a platform for a further execution of the buy-and-build strategy driven by the Group’s management and AUCTUS. Apera together with RLB provided the financing, comprising a Unitranche loan in combination with Super Senior Term Loan and RCF Facilities.

FERNAO combines the know-how of several leading IT companies in the areas of cyber security, secure cloud, IP networking and IT systems and provides consulting, implementation, and managed services from a single source. Headquartered in Cologne (Germany), the Group was founded in 2015 and provides services in Germany and Switzerland by around 600 employees in its 20 locations. Fernao has grown significantly over recent years by adding know-how through strategic acquisitions. The Group operates in an attractively growing market and supports its blue-chip customers with its 360° security service approach based on long-term partnerships.

Jens Wiese, CFO at FERNAO, said: “We are very satisfied with the efficient and partnership-based refinancing process and are excited to have flexible capital available to support our growth plans going forward.”

Klaus Petersen, Partner at Apera Asset Management, said: “We are very pleased about this first transaction with AUCTUS and are looking forward to support FERNAO´s management team on their paths to further organic and acquisitive growth. The achievements of AUCTUS and the FERNAO team to establish this strong group in the cyber security space particularly impressed us.”

You can download the Press Release here

About Apera

Apera is a pan-European mid-market private debt investor operating in the UK, the DACH region, the Nordic region, France and Benelux. The firm develops long-term partnerships with private equity investors, SME borrowers, and advisors by providing tailored financial solutions that meet both the operational needs and growth objectives of clients, whilst producing attractive returns. Apera is focused on bringing a new standard of transparency to the private debt market.