Swiss Post sells Swiss Post Solutions to AS Equity Partners

The Post has decided to sell its subsidiary Swiss Post Solutions (SPS). The AS Equity Partners, based in Freienbach (SZ) and London, is taking over the Post’s subsidiary. SPS is a leading provider of outsourcing solutions for business processes and innovative services in document management.

(Bern/London) SPS’s growth has already focused on customers in Europe, Asia, and the USA in recent years. The Post, on the other hand, wants to focus on services related to its core business – always with the aim of sustainably developing public service for Switzerland. The Post sells SPS at a company value of 375 million francs.

As part of the implementation of the “Post of Tomorrow” strategy, Swiss Post continuously reviews its service portfolio. The Post invests its money where basic services and logistics for Switzerland can be sustainably expanded and strengthened. The subsidiary Swiss Post Solutions (SPS) has developed into a leading provider of outsourcing solutions for business processes and document management. SPS’s growth has been primarily in the core markets of Asia, the USA, and Europe for several years. To continue growing successfully, investments and acquisitions abroad are on the agenda for SPS. Against this background, the question arose as to whether the Post is still the suitable owner for further growth steps. The Post management has examined various strategic options and concluded to sell SPS. The Post focuses on its core business.

“We did not make this decision lightly. SPS is an established and successful company. Nevertheless, it is part of the consistent implementation of our strategy to focus investments and growth on our core businesses of logistics and communication. We are consistently pursuing the goal of financing and further developing public service in Switzerland with our own resources. SPS does not provide basic service offerings and is increasingly growing abroad. Investments are also necessary there. Therefore, we are convinced that AS Equity Partners is the more suitable partner for a successful future of SPS, allowing us to concentrate on our services in our core business,” says Roberto Cirillo, CEO of the Post.

7,800 employees to be taken over

Around 7,800 employees worldwide are engaged with Swiss Post Solutions (SPS) for customers in over 20 countries. The employees will be taken over by AS Equity Partners. SPS’s offerings include, among other things, solutions for outsourcing business processes and innovative services in document management. Customers include banks, insurance companies, telecommunications providers, and companies in the healthcare sector.

The sales contract was signed on December 17, 2021. The effective takeover will be completed in the following months, subject to the fulfillment of regulatory requirements and closing conditions. SPS is being sold at a company value of 375 million francs. The acronym “SPS” may continue to be used by the new ownership. The logo with the Post colors and the cross, as well as the name “Swiss Post Solutions,” can be used temporarily until the end of 2022. The entire management and all active employees of SPS Holding AG and its Swiss and international branches and companies are part of the transaction.

Support with operational expertise

AS Equity Partners primarily invests in software and technology companies. Unlike traditional private equity investors, AS Equity Partners supports companies mainly with significant operational expertise. The founders are recognized industry veterans with decades of experience in this field. “We are excited to develop SPS together with the employees in the long term. We are convinced that SPS has great potential in international markets and want to successfully accompany the company in these growth steps,” says Andreas Schulte, founder and managing partner of AS Equity Partners.

Photo: © Swiss Post