Clairfield acted as exclusive financial advisor in the sale of Tractebel GKW to GFA Group

Clairfield is pleased to announce that GFA Consulting Group GmbH and Tractebel Engineering SA, signed an agreement on 21 March 2023 on the transfer of ownership of GKW Consult GmbH to GFA Holding AG.

A joint Clairfield German/Belgian project team was in charge of managing the sales process from identification of targets, preparation investor materials, moderation of meetings with prospective buyers, management of due diligence, support in contract negotiations, and preparation of transition issues.

In GFA, GKW finds a reputable shareholder with a strong focus on international cooperation as well as a complementary and strategic partner. GFA is convinced that the acquisition of GKW provides exciting opportunities for collaboration that will further increase the range of expertise that the affiliated companies of the GFA Group can offer their clients. Particularly, the acquisition allows GFA to offer integrated service delivery with specific engineering knowledge.

With a history of 70 years, GKW is among the top international independent consultants for environmental engineering with particular focus on water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal, industrial water management, solid waste and regional infrastructure development. GKW services the full project cycle from project identification, feasibility, preliminary and final design, tender preparation and evaluation to construction supervision, commissioning and operation. Modern tools, digital solutions and highly qualified engineers are at the service of clients including from branch offices in India, Morocco, Colombia, Tanzania and a host of other locations. GKW has more than 50 staff at their headquarters in Mannheim, Germany and over 200 staff overseas achieving an average of EUR 15 million turnover.

GFA and GKW have previously worked together successfully underlining the strategic match for acquisition and implementation of future international cooperation projects around the globe. The two firms look forward to integrating the expertise of GKW into the services of GFA Group.

Both GFA and GKW are driven by a common vision of fostering sustainable development, contributing to tackling climate change and its effects, and ensuring greater impact for the people they ultimately serve.

“We executed a limited auction in which we immediately identified GFA as the best new owner for GKW. We are delighted that GFA completed the process successfully and wish both firms success in their future collaboration,” says Albert Schander, managing partner at Clairfield Germany.

“We’re proud to be a part of this sustainability-focused transaction as financial advisors to Tractebel Engineering. It’s exciting to see the private sector stepping up to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on communities around the world,” says Hans Buysse, managing partner in Belgium.

About Tractebel and GKW

Tractebel Engineering, founded in 1862, is among the top international consultants for environmental engineering and donor-financed infrastructure projects in the fields of water, energy, and urban development. The company is headquartered in Europe and has branches in India, the Maghreb region, Latin America, Qatar, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, and Palestine.

Tractebel GKW ranges among the top international independent consultants for environmental engineering with particular focus on water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal and regional building environment. Tractebel GKW services the full project cycle from project identification, feasibility, preliminary and final design, tender preparation and evaluation to construction supervision, commissioning, and operation. Modern tools, digital solutions and highly qualified engineers are at the service of clients also from branch offices in India, Morocco, Colombia, and Tanzania among others. Tractebel GKW has 50+ staff at their headquarters in Mannheim, Germany and further overseas achieving an average of EUR 15 million turnover.

About GFA

GFA Group with GFA Consulting Group at its core and further sister and daughter companies is one of the leading European consulting firms active in the International Cooperation sector. GFA with roughly 1400 staff worldwide and EUR 170 million. Euro turnover has a long track record of providing effective and sustainable solutions to global challenges. Since 1982, GFA offers expertise in a broad range of sectors through specialised business units. Leading development agencies, ministries and public clients have entrusted GFA with helping them to manage projects financed through bilateral and multilateral funds.

Deal team: