Graa Arkitekter A/S has gained access to professional and strategic management and new partners following the sale of the firm by its three owner-managers to XPartners Group.

”Business Broker has been adept at identifying the market and engaging the right buyers. The buyer can offer everything we were missing and everything we’ve been looking for,” says Kristian Hvass, one of the three sellers.

The owners wanted a strategic sale of Graa Arkitekter

Graa Arkitekter was founded in 1974 in Odense. With 21 employees, the firm is a leading consultant in the fields of architecture, landscape design, and the construction of public housing, schools, and commercial buildings.

For several years, the owners had wanted to expand the architectural firm, and they knew that this would require more professional and strategically skilled leadership.

“After all, we’re architects and structural engineers, not HR managers or finance directors. If we had to build up a professional executive team and board of directors ourselves, it would take a long time and require a lot of resources. Now we get it overnight and can free up our resources for what we’re good at—namely, consulting,” explains Kristian Hvass.

All three former owner-managers will remain with Graa Arkitekter and, as part of the transaction, have acquired a minority stake in XPartners Group, which has more than 70 other consulting firms in its portfolio.

Achieve a stronger market position

XPartners already owns PLH Arkitekter in Copenhagen, which employs more than 200 people and has major clients in its portfolio. However, PLH needs a base on Funen and is looking to build a stronger track record in residential construction—exactly what Graa Arkitekter can offer.

Conversely, the larger sister company will help strengthen Graa Arkitekter’s market position. A true strategic alliance.

“We can collaborate on specific orders. We’ll expand our market reach and gain access to new sales channels,” says Kristian Hvass.

A proper sales process at the seller's pace

The owners of Graa Arkitekter had not initially considered PLH and XPartners when they decided to seek a strategic buyer. That possibility only emerged during the structured sales process led by Ole Jensen and Ulf Steiness of Business Broker.

“This is a good example of how a structured sales process can tap into the market and bring more potential buyers into the picture. Our focus was on finding a buyer who could both pay what Graa Arkitekter is worth and meet the sellers’ growth ambitions. We succeeded,” says Ole Jensen.

Kristian Hvass and the other partners chose Business Broker their advisor based on a recommendation from a colleague in the industry.

“Embarking on a process like this requires trust, and we were looking for someone with experience in something similar,” says Kristian Hvass, who has not regretted the choice.

“It has been an incredibly positive experience. The consultants were attentive, understanding, and solution-oriented. They guided the process in a very professional and empathetic manner without pressuring us into making hasty decisions,” he continues.

We had to take a hard look at ourselves before the sale could go through

During the process, Graa Arkitekter faced internal challenges, but Business Broker handled them Business Broker a patient and pragmatic approach.

“When you go to market to sell your business, you also have to take a hard look at your own organization. Along the way, we had to refine our proposal, and Business Broker was Business Broker at communicating that to the buyer,” explains Kristian Hvass.

Business Broker no stranger to situations like this.

“It’s always important to give the seller time when it comes to getting the business ready for sale. Once the conditions are in place, we’ll be sure to secure the best terms for the transaction,” says Ulf Steiness.

GRAA ARCHITECTS, INC.

XPartners Group
acquired Graa Arkitekter A/S

Assignment: Sale of a partner-owned architectural firm with growth ambitions.

Solution: Strategic sale to the Swedish XPartners Group, which is expanding its geographic reach through the acquisition of Graa Arkitekter in Odense.

Result: Graa Arkitekter strengthens its leadership and gains access to new market segments through a partnership with another Danish architecture firm in the XPartners Group.

Graa Arkitekter is a leading firm specializing in urban planning, landscape architecture, and the construction of public housing, schools, and commercial buildings. The firm has 21 employees.

Kristian Hvass highlights three things:

• We always felt as though we were Business Brokers client. They were attentive and followed up with us at every stage.
• They have been attentive, understanding, and solution-oriented every step of the way.
• Business Broker been adept at identifying market opportunities and engaging with the right buyers.