ADESA acquires CarsOnTheWeb
KAR Auction Services, via its European subsidiary ADESA Remarketing, is to acquire CarsOnTheWeb (COTW), the Belgium-based online auction company.
Subject to regulatory approval, the planned acquisition is valued at around €91 million in cash and up to an additional €65 million over a specified period of time, contingent on certain terms, conditions and COTW performance. The companies expect to close the transaction in A1 2019.
Growing portfolio
The acquisition advances KAR’s international strategy and extends its growing North American and UK-based portfolio of physical, online and digital auction marketplaces. KAR will also leverage COTW to deploy the company’s technology, data analytics and other ancillary service capabilities across Europe.
COTW serves the wholesale vehicle sector in continental Europe, where it connects OEMs, fleet owners, wholesalers and dealers. With sales operations in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, COTW provides sellers in these countries and buyers in over 50 countries with a wide range of vehicle auction, transportation and related support services.
Highly respected
“COTW is a highly respected online auction business delivering outstanding technology-driven services across multiple European markets. We’re delighted by the proposed addition of COTW to KAR’s growing international portfolio,” said Jonathan Holland, ADESA Remarketing’s UK managing director.
COTW’s online and mobile tools are available in 19 languages and deliver real-time search, bid, payment and logistics scheduling functionality. The company also provides comprehensive, VAT-compliant payment, document transfer and post-sale processes supporting the 97 percent of customer transactions that involve cross-border sales.
Cross-border transactions
“CarsOnTheWeb’s unique platform and logistics solutions directly address the complexity of cross-border transactions and have the power to deliver seamless, convenient and connected services on a global scale”, said Benjamin Skuy, KAR’s executive vice president for international markets and strategic initiatives. “By leveraging KAR’s broad portfolio of technology, strong industry relationships and existing ADESA UK operations, we can enhance these offerings and develop new opportunities to serve wholesale customers.”
After the transaction closes, KAR intends to retain COTW’s current operating locations, employees and key COTW leadership and management team members, including Johan Meyssen, CEO of COTW, who will report directly to Skuy.
