Accenture to buy SinnerSchrader

Accenture has agreed to purchase a 62% majority of SinnerSchrader shares from co-founder and CEO Matthias Schrader (pictured), chief financial officer Thomas Dyckhoff, and other shareholders at €9 per share.

The company also intends to launch a public tender offer to all remaining shareholders at the same price. This is a premium of 58% over the 12-month volume-weighted average share price and 31% over the 3-month volume-weighted average share price before the announcement.

If the deal is approved, SinnerSchrader and Accenture Interactive will combine consulting, design and technology to develop digital solutions. Schrader will retain his role as CEO of the company and, after a transition period, lead the joint digital agency business of Accenture Interactive in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

This is the latest in a number of acquisitions by Accenture Interactive. Most recently Accenture bought London-based creative agency Karmarama and design and innovation consultancy Fjord.

Schrader said: “The planned acquisition will benefit our clients and employees as well as our shareholders. Linking our interdisciplinary culture spanning consulting, design and technology with the global organisation, technology skills, and industry expertise of Accenture and Accenture Interactive will enable us to service our clients more broadly and on a global scale.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2017.