Basware Acquires Network and e-Invoicing Business of Leading Benelux Operator Certipost

Basware becomes the market leader in e-Invoicing in the Benelux

ESPOO, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Basware, the global market leader in Purchase-to-Pay and e-Invoicing solutions, has today signed an agreement to acquire the network and e-Invoicing business of Certipost, a bpost company and the leading e-Invoice operator in the Benelux. With the acquisition, Basware will become the market leader in e-Invoicing in the Benelux market.

Esa Tihilä, CEO, Basware comments: “Basware is the global market leader in Purchase-to-Pay and e-Invoicing solutions. We are actively looking for possibilities to gain a stronger position in selected markets both organically and through acquisitions. The synergy benefits of the acquired network and e-Invoicing assets of Certipost derive from accelerated growth potential: our global Open Network will expand further and our offering for small and medium enterprises will increase. Certipost’s extensive expertise in electronic data interchange (EDI) was also crucial in the establishment of an agreement. Together, we will grow stronger in the Benelux market, with joined global offering for all of our customers. Strategically, we will achieve significant market position with a single acquisition in the Benelux, where we expect the e-Invoicing market to grow substantially in the upcoming years.”

Certipost, based in Aalst. Belgium, is part of the bpost Group. The company positions itself as a growing specialist in secure electronic document exchange for companies, the government, and consumers. In 2011, Certipost had more than 85,000 companies using its technology to exchange documents electronically and it reaches over 100,000 companies in Europe through roaming. Certipost has in-depth knowledge on providing services for both local and international buyers and supplier in e-Invoicing, which supports Basware services seamlessly.

Gert Roeckx, CEO, Certipost says: “Basware will enable Certipost to grow even stronger in the Benelux market. The combined network will allow us to reach more trading partners in Europe, increase technological innovation and develop the small and medium enterprise market in Belgium and the Netherlands. Certipost’s strategy is completely in line with Basware’s strategy focusing on seamless service, customer satisfaction and growth.”

Basware aims to become the largest business commerce network for both buyers and suppliers and to reach 150 million transactions by the end of 2015. With the acquisition, approximately 12 million transactions are estimated to be added to Basware’s global Open Network. Basware is already the market leader in e-Invoicing in Germany and the Nordics, and following the acquisition in the Benelux as well.

With the acquisition, the Certipost document exchange organization will be integrated within the Basware global organization. The other activities of Certipost, related to digital certificates and the Belgian electronic identity card remain within the bpost company. Certipost employs currently 84 people of which 76 employees are working in the network and e-Invoicing business.

About Basware

Basware is the global leader in cloud based e-invoicing and purchase-to-pay solutions with more than 1,000,000 users in over 60 countries. Basware’s B2B Cloud solutions and services provide an open, secure and global ecosystem for buyer and supplier collaboration, connecting more than 1.9 million buyers and suppliers globally. The solutions are architected to meet the needs of SMEs and global enterprises and are built upon Basware’s deep knowledge and experience of B2B financial processes, coupled with intelligent cloud connectivity and the Open Network. With Basware, organizations benefit from more efficient procurement, accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, sustainable cost savings, better insight to cash flows and improved buyer-supplier relationships. The solutions are available via the cloud, on-premise or through business process outsourcing in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific through an extensive network of Basware offices and business partners. www.basware.com