Photo: Sofia Drevemo
CapMan Buyout press release
12 October 2021 3:30 p.m. EEST
CapMan Buyout exits Bright Group to global event technology provider NEP Group
Funds managed by CapMan Buyout have entered into a definitive agreement to sell the subsidiaries of Bright Group Oy, a 360 supplier of live events services in Northern Europe including audio, video and lighting solutions, trucking, stages, infrastructure/installations and camera production to global event technology provider NEP Group and its Live Events company in Northern Europe, Creative Technology Northern Europe AB.
Bright Group was established in 2011 when CapMan acquired Finnish Eastway and Norwegian AVAB-CAC to form a leading player for the event and entertainment services business in the Nordics. Since then, more than 20 live event companies in Northern Europe have joined Bright Group – many of which have over 30 years of experience in the industry. Today, Bright Group employs teams across its locations in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
“What started as a small local entrepreneur-driven specialist, has grown into a pan-Nordic organisation both organically and through acquisitions. Bright Group is a preferred event partner for many companies, industries and venues that choose to outsource the technical competence to a market leader. I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to Bright Group’s management and professional staff for excellent co-operation over these years. We are pleased with a new home for the company as the story continues on a larger and more international scale – the future looks very bright indeed,” says Anders Björkell, Partner at CapMan Buyout.
“This acquisition will be great for our clients in Northern Europe and globally,” said Graham Andrews, Global President, NEP Live Events. “Adding Bright Group’s resources to NEP’s and our Creative Technology division gives us the ability to offer the ‘best of the best’ in innovative solutions, talent and resources. It’s also a great cultural fit. We have a great deal of respect for Bright Group’s work and their people.”
“As the Nordic forerunner, Bright Group has plenty to offer on an international scale. Our skilled professionals have decades worth of experience, and we are passionate in what we do. In the future, we can create unique events for even wider audiences”, said Jarno Uusitalo, CEO of Bright Finland.
The transaction is conditional upon the approval of the Norwegian Competition Authority and is expected to close during October–November 2021. Prior to closing, Creative Technology Northern Europe and Bright Group will continue to operate as separate and independent companies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
For more information, please contact:
Anders Björkell, Partner, CapMan Buyout, tel. +358 40 5377 566
Jarno Uusitalo, CEO Bright Finland, tel. +358 50 305 8569
To learn more about NEP’s full range of broadcast, live event and media solutions, visit www.nepgroup.com and www.ct-group.com. To learn more about Bright Group, visist www.brightgroup.com/.
About CapMan
CapMan Buyout is part of CapMan Group, a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value-creation in its portfolio companies and assets, with assets under management of over €4 billion. CapMan has a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. The investment strategies cover Private Equity, Real Estate and Infra. CapMan also has a growing service business that includes procurement services, wealth management, and analysis, reporting and back office services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 150 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are a public company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001 and a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2012. Read more at www.capman.com.
