Transactions

Bowmark Capital and Five Arrows Principal Investments have completed the sale of Autodata, Europe’s leading provider of technical information to the automotive aftermarket, to Solera Holdings, Inc. for a consideration of £340 million. Solera is a leading provider of risk and asset management software and services to the automotive and property marketplace.

Established in 1975, Autodata publishes technical information on approximately 40,000 vehicle models from 136 manufacturers. Its products provide over 90,000 professional workshops with access to a comprehensive suite of up-to-date technical data and guidance on cars, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles, enabling them to carry out service, repair and diagnostic work.

Since the buyout of Autodata in May 2014, the management team has significantly enhanced Autodata’s content and technology platform, and expanded its customer base in Europe and Australia.

It has also made three strategic acquisitions in France, Sweden and Finland. Its latest online product, which attracts over 840,000 page views per day, provides an essential workflow tool to over 120,000 automotive technicians, enabling them to conduct their day-to-day activities efficiently and effectively.

Rod Williams, Autodata’s chief executive, commented: “With the support of Bowmark and Five Arrows, we have achieved significant growth over the past two and a half years, driven by new product innovation, investment in people and expanding our footprint in our core markets. Our products and services represent an excellent fit with those of Solera, and we are excited at the new opportunities which being part of the Solera group will bring – to Autodata, its customers and its employees.”