Driving strength and breadth through acquisition
Alongside organic growth, acquiring established, reputable companies in existing and new geographic territories has been a crucial component in Waterlogic achieving its strong global growth and breadth of product range, and remains a key focus today.
Partnering for success
Waterlogic’s own acquisition history began in 2015 when Waterlogic was jointly acquired by funds managed by European private equity firm Castik Capital and Waterlogic’s management.
Since then, an ambitious buy-and-build M&A strategy has helped to secure Waterlogic’s position as a prominent global player in the fast-growing market for workplace hydration. In 2020, we accelerated our growth ambition by securing long-term investment from minority stakeholders BCI, Neuberger Berman, StepStone and Skandia.
M&A at-a-glance
Since Castik’s investment in 2015, Waterlogic has completed numerous acquisitions across the world, substantially increasing its revenue and MIF-base.
100+
Add-on acquisitions completed in North and South America, Europe and Australia since 2015
New markets
New direct markets established in Central and Western Europe, Canada, Latin America and New Zealand
Waterlogic’s M&A guiding principles
To achieve competitive advantage that strengthens our position as a leading global provider of mains-fed dispensers and specialty hospitality solutions.
Value
Add value to target businesses helping them to thrive and prosper.
Integrated
Provide for the full geographical needs of global customers under one roof.
Products
Introduce new products and services to expand our offering.
Expertise
Obtain skilled staff to leverage local experise and established practices.
Reach
Extend our reach to new established or emerging markets.
Density
Build operational density and efficiency in our existing global markets.
“M&A has an immediate and lasting impact on our financial performance as we increase our local market density and improve the efficiency of the geography.”
Jeremy Ben-David, Founder and Group CEO Waterlogic
Welcoming well-suited products to the Waterlogic portfolio
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Purezza acquired in 2014
Reimagining the way water is sourced and offered to customers across the hospitality industry, Purezza delivers premium hygienic and sustainable solutions that enable venues to utilise their own locally-sourced water and enjoy valuable profit-making opportunities.
Billi acquired in 2018
A favourite with consumers, corporate offices and hospitality establishments due to the sophisticated tapware and space-saving under-counter design, Billi integrated dispensers deliver energy-efficient filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water in an instant.
What we look for
As a global leader in the fragmented market for workplace hydration, Waterlogic is the natural acquiror for high-quality providers of mains-fed water dispensers. Waterlogic looks for companies exhibiting these criteria:
- Focus on the provision of point-of-use water dispensers in the B2B and/or HoReCa sectors
- High proportion of recurring rental and service revenue
- Reputation for quality customer service
- Strong customer base with good track record of contract renewals at end of term
We are very experienced in handling the acquisition process and can help you through every step to ensure a smooth transaction. We welcome enquiries from business owners who would like to join Waterlogic and bring their experience and expertise to thrive in our business, as well as those who are looking to move on to a different stage of their career and want to pass their business on to a strong, committed company who will look after their customers and employees.
Interested in learning more about M&A opportunities with Waterlogic?
Proof we’re stronger together
Waterlogic enables its partners to flourish and grow, scaling their already successful businesses to offer cutting-edge hydration solutions and aftercare to their customers, and career opportunities for their employees.
Waterlogic USA
Beginning as a point-of-use water (POU) dispenser distributor in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988, Taylor Made Water Systems grew from a small family business into one of the largest POU and coffee providers in the United States.
After many years of growth and success they were approached to sell the business in 2012. As well as receiving offers from other companies, Casey Taylor, who co-founded the business with his father, reached out to Waterlogic to discuss a potential deal. Taylor Made’s focus on health and sustainability in the workplace aligned perfectly with the goals of Waterlogic, making Waterlogic the ideal fit for their customers, employees and the strategic direction of the business.
Soon after the acquisition, two more distributors in Northern California were purchased by Waterlogic. This became Waterlogic West until the entire U.S. was consolidated to a single entity, becoming Waterlogic USA.
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Casey is now CEO of Waterlogic Americas and has been involved with over 40 acquisitions since his own with Taylor Made in 2012.
“Many of my original Taylor Made employees are thriving in new roles at Waterlogic.
I have enjoyed both the professional and personal growth I have experienced from being part of the Waterlogic family. Bringing in great new employees and customers has been incredibly rewarding, whilst many of my original Taylor Made employees are thriving in new roles at Waterlogic.”
Casey Taylor
CEO Waterlogic Americas
Waterlogic Germany
Seeing the market opportunity for POU water dispensers in commercial laundries initially, water treatment company Höcker GmbH was a distributor for Waterlogic products between 1998 and 2001, before the company was acquired and Waterlogic GmbH was formed in early 2002.
Olaf Wilhelm, a qualified mechanical engineer who was in charge at Höcker, became the Managing Director of Waterlogic GmbH and ownership of the new business was split 50/50 between himself and Waterlogic.
The German operation became a ‘best practice’ model for the Waterlogic Group as it grew (eventually becoming 100% of Waterlogic International), and Olaf was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in 2010. He stepped back from the role in 2011 to focus entirely on Waterlogic Germany.
Beginning with just five employees in 2002, Waterlogic Germany now employs 300 people with an annual revenue of $50m. In 2022, they will be celebrating 20 years as part of the Waterlogic family.
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“Being a part of the formation of Waterlogic Germany was the second best achievement in my life behind my family.
I started out as an entrepreneur aged 23, and so the transition to working for others was unusual and challenging at first, but looking back I can say that being a part of the formation of Waterlogic Germany was the second best achievement in my life behind my family.”
Olaf Wilhelm
Managing Director Waterlogic Germany