Exact announces its acquisition of Unit4’s Benelux business, Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware

Delft, 16 September 2020 – Exact, the Dutch producer of business software, today announced its acquisition of Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware, Unit4’s branch serving the Dutch and Belgian accountancy, SME and corporate sectors.

The acquisition brings together two leading Dutch players in business software. The acquisition is subject to applicable antitrust clearance and has been submitted for works council consultation.

Enriching the offering

The addition of Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware’s product portfolio allows Exact to offer a complete end-to-end suite of financial and HR software for SME and accountancy firms. Unit 4 Bedrijfssoftware complements Exact’s portfolio with the addition of Boekhoud Gemak, Rapportage Gemak, Fiscaal Gemak, Werkprogramma Gemak, Communicatie Gemak, HR & Salaris Gemak and Kantoor Gemak. The company’s Venice Bookkeeping software will be added to Exact’s line-up in Belgium. 268 employees work at Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware across offices in Utrecht, Sliedrecht, Barendrecht, Hengelo and Bruges (Belgium).

Focus on the Benelux

Exact CEO Phill Robinson says: “Exact and Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware, both Benelux software businesses, have been serving local SME and accountancy customers for many years. Both are deeply invested in the unique culture, language, business practices and legislative requirements of the local businesses they serve. Their coming together creates a local champion provider for local champion businesses, with the most advanced and complete suite of cloud solutions for SMEs and accountancy firms. This acquisition fits with Exact’s strategy to grow through a powerful combination of organic development together with the integration of acquired products.”

Herman de Jonge, CEO of Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware, notes: “Over the past two years, we have strengthened our product portfolio and brought it to the cloud. This has resulted in an accelerated growth in our turnover and market share. I am extremely proud that Exact recognised this and am delighted that we are now joining forces. I believe our combined portfolios and Exact's position in the SME sector will form a company that can offer our SME and accountancy customers a comprehensive suite of solutions. In Exact, I see focus and innovation which will ensure that we continue to build on our successes together.”

Mike Ettling, CEO of Unit4, says: “Our strategy, communicated in 2018, to integrate the SME and accountancy activities in the Benelux into Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware has proven to be very successful. Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware has grown rapidly and has regained its position in the Benelux market. Today, we announce the sale of Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware to Exact. We believe the strategic fit with Exact is great. I wish Exact and the Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware team the best of luck as they move forward together.”

About Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware

Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware was created in 2019 from the merger of five lines of business within Unit4 whose history goes back 40 years. Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware has become the leading provider of integrated accounting and financial software for SMEs.

In addition to software for financial management, the accountancy portfolio also includes solutions for taxes, financial statements, audits, HR/payroll and CRM. In recent years, Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware migrated its products to the cloud. The acquisition of Fiscaal Gemak in 2019 made Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware a market leader in the accountancy sector. Unit4 Bedrijfssoftware is active in the Benelux and has offices in Utrecht (headquarters), Sliedrecht, Barendrecht, Hengelo and Bruges (BE).