PE Tech Report

NEWSLETTER

Like this article?

Sign up to our free newsletter

Warburg Pincus to acquire majority stake in mercator from dnata

Private equity firm Warburg Pincus is to acquire a majority stake in mercator, a provider of software and technology-enabled outsourcing solutions to the global aviation industry, from dnata.

dnata will retain a minority stake. 
 
Headquartered in Dubai, mercator helps airlines move passengers and cargo to their destinations safely and on time.  mercator's five key products include cargo operations and management, financial solutions, loyalty and CRM, safety and passenger reservation and departure control. The company's solutions are used by more than 125 airline clients in over 80 countries and six continents. Current clients include United Airlines, Thai Airways, Qantas, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, JetBlue, Westjet and South African Airways.  
 
The investment by Warburg Pincus will enable mercator to strengthen its position, increase its market share and accelerate global growth. Warburg Pincus will also continue to invest in products and provide capital for acquisitions.
 
Joseph Schull, managing director at Warburg Pincus, says: "Technology is a key area of domain expertise and investment focus for us. We have been looking for a world-leading software and tech-enabled outsourcing platform to address the transport, travel and logistics sector for some time.  mercator is one of the aviation industry's leading solutions companies, benefitting from a superior product  base, blue-chip customers, and capable management.  We view it as an excellent platform to build a market-leading transport, travel & logistics business of scale. We look forward to building on the expertise of the mercator staff to accelerate the company's growth."
 
Warburg Pincus' track record includes the establishment of WNS Global Services, a global business process outsourcing (BPO) company, in 2002 following the carve-out of British Airways' key business processes from British Airways. WNS's former executive chairman David Tibble will serve as mercator's executive chairman. 
 
Gary Chapman, president, dnata, adds: "Today marks a significant milestone in mercator's history.  We are proud of what mercator has achieved as part of dnata and believe that Warburg Pincus are the right firm to unleash the company's potential by creating a stand-alone entity.
 
"Warburg Pincus brings significant technology and aviation experience as well as a track record scaling businesses globally. They also bring new perspective, fresh thinking, unparalleled thought leadership, and experience to the table.  This shift in tempo will benefit mercator's customers and provide new opportunities for its staff."

Like this article? Sign up to our free newsletter

MOST POPULAR

FURTHER READING

Featured