Over a digital fika, Assia Belkahia shares why Antin’s decision to buy Consilium was not just about numbers – it was also a gut feeling.
Sometimes you just feel ‘it’. Acquiring a company is more than meeting the strategic criteria, the financials and the potential. It is also about a feeling. A first impression that sticks. It is about the team, the spirit, the grit that you cannot quantify but cannot ignore. And Consilium Safety Group has ‘it’.
Sitting virtually across from Assia Belkahia, a partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners, provides the perfect opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on Consilium Safety from the owner’s point of view. What convinced Antin, who invested in the company this past April, to make the leap.
“When we first met with the Consilium Safety management, we felt it right away – this is the right horse to bet on”, Assia begins with the enthusiasm that seemed to define her.
“They met our investment criteria, but more than that, they have the ‘it’ factor, that special something. Consilium’s management team is not only dedicated, they are driven by a strong customer focus, and committed to securing the company’s future growth through smart technology. After the meeting, we said, “We just need to buy them”. And we were successful in convincing management that we understood their potential in competition with other eager potential buyers”.
Antin specialises in infrastructure investments and follows five strict criteria before negotiating to buy a company. One is “essential service”, something vital to the community, like security and safety. Antin believes fire and gas protection will become increasingly important in the marine industry, especially with the rise of dual-fueled vessels and a greater emphasis on social and environmental sustainability to protect lives and goods.
“Consilium is in a sweet spot in this expanding market, with worldwide on-the-ground service presence and products in the forefront. That is quite an interesting position that can be further developed”, says Assia.
So, the rationale for acquiring Consilium is clear. Still, a long-time owner needs to have a plan for growing its portfolio companies. Assia points out that while the marine sector is key, there are promising opportunities in rolling stock and complex buildings as well.
“Consilium knows what they are doing, and they do it successfully. Check on that. But we can also support in several areas, including financial analysis and strategy, M&A, financing support as well as data analytics”, Assia states.
Assia, balancing a busy career, rearing two young children, and still making time for the gym, is already looking ahead to the next meeting. Before she goes, I have one last question:
What can Consilium do better?
“Compared to other Antin companies’ markets, the fire and gas safety industry is behind in digitalisation, Assia explains. Consilium can potentially take the lead in digitalisation. They are building up expertise quickly and have many such solutions already on the market. And they certainly have the team, the spirit and the guts to do it”.