2 April 2018

BDA advises Sansei Technologies on acquisition of roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma Rides

acquired roller coaster manufacturer

2018

BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, Sansei Technologies (“Sansei”), has agreed to acquire 100% of Vekoma Rides (“Vekoma”).

BDA acted as exclusive financial advisor to Sansei on the transaction.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Vekoma is a leading global roller coaster manufacturer, recognized for its innovative designs and high quality. The company has a strong track record of supplying its products and services to major amusement parks around the world. By making Vekoma a wholly-owned subsidiary alongside S&S Worldwide, Inc. (“S&S”), a US-based subsidiary, Sansei will greatly expand its amusement ride product lineup and realize a global production and sales network in Japan, the US and Europe. Sansei aims to become the No. 1 amusement ride manufacturer in the world.

Makoto Nakagawa, Sansei President and CEO, said “Vekoma is well-known in the amusement ride industry for its creative design, solid engineering and high-quality manufacturing. Through this acquisition, Sansei, combined with Vekoma and S&S, will have a global presence in Japan, Europe and U.S. and unique capabilities to work on the largest, most exciting amusement rides projects anywhere in the world.”

Jeff Acton, BDA Managing Director, said “Having advised on the sale of S&S to Sansei several years ago, we’re pleased now to have advised Sansei on this important acquisition. We’re confident that Vekoma’s business will thrive as part of the Sansei family. This is the latest in a string of cross-border deals that BDA has advised on. It demonstrates our ability to deliver strategic transactions for Japanese clients.”

About Sansei Technologies

Sansei Technologies plans, designs, manufactures, installs, repairs, and maintains amusement rides, stage equipment, elevators, and other designed equipment in Japan and internationally. Further, it provides property management and logistics services; operates and manages amusement facilities; and rents electric and mechanical equipment for TV programs, concerts, stages, events, etc. The company was formerly known as Sansei Yusoki and changed its name to Sansei Technologies in January 2014. Sansei Technologies was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. www.sansei-technologies.com

About BDA Partners

BDA Partners is a leader in cross-border investment banking involving Asia. BDA advises on M&A and capital raising. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe, and Asia. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Dubai, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. BDA was named Investment Bank of the Year 2017 by both The M&A Advisor and ACG New York. BDA formed partnerships with William Blair & Company in 2011 and Development Bank of Japan in 2017. www.bdapartners.com

US securities transactions are performed by BDA Partners’ affiliate, BDA Advisors Inc, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BDA Advisors Inc. is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC. In the UK, BDA Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In Hong Kong, BDA Partners (HK) Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) to conduct Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities to professional investors.