Managed service provider HTX Automation has been acquired by Fortezza Group. Based in Leek, Groningen, the company with more than 25 professionals focuses on providing services to SMEs in the Northern Netherlands, various municipalities and government organisations, and larger (inter)national companies throughout the Netherlands.
Groningen approach
HTX is characterized by a down-to-earth, personal and “Groningen” approach. The company is a full-service managed service provider for partners such as Microsoft (gold partner), HPE, Citrix, VMware, Veeam and Fortinet. ICT service provider Fortezza has been in existence for 15 years and focuses on the digital transformation of customers. With the acquisition of HTX, Fortezza expands its customer base and local presence in the northern part of the Netherlands. HTX maintains its own unique identity as a leading IT partner in the Northern Netherlands.
Increase customer base in northern Netherlands
Fortezza Group grows to a total of ninety employees with the acquisition of HTX. Fortezza founder/owner and managing director Mark van der Snel on the acquisition: “We are going to use the next few months to jointly define the 2024 annual plan and ambitions for the future with HTX employees. The personal development of employees and attracting new colleagues is one of the priorities for our growth plans.”
HTX Automation was founded in 1993 by Fokke Wobbes, and under his leadership the company grew in services and secondment. Co-owners John Barelds and Manuel Schuurman joined as shareholders in the company in 2019. In 2022, the secondment branch was spun off under the new name OFIFTY, headed by John Barelds, and the day-to-day management of HTX came into the hands of Manuel Schuurman.
The transaction gives HTX additional opportunities in a bigger picture, in which it can play a crucial role in the continued growth of the Fortezza Group in the Northern Netherlands. In addition, this gives the outgoing shareholders a chance to focus entirely on OFIFTY.
DNA fits well
Hogenhouck m&a supervised this transaction for the owners of HTX. The team consisted of Daan Zonneveld, Robin Korver and Rik Stikkelbroeck.Daan Zonneveld on the acquisition: “With HTX, Fortezza acquires a strong name in the north. The DNA of Fortezza and HTX match well and the companies obviously strengthen each other. We are also delighted to thus offer the departing shareholders the opportunity to focus fully on OFIFTY.”
