SAFEGATE INTERNATIONAL acquired by ADB SAFEGATE & PAI PARTNERS

In February 2016, PAI Partners, through its portfolio company ADB Airfield Solutions, agreed to acquire Safegate from Fairford Group, which had owned the business since 1991. The transaction was designed to combine two highly complementary airport technology providers and create a global leader in advanced airfield guidance and airport operational systems. The acquisition significantly expanded ADB’s capabilities beyond airfield lighting by adding Safegate’s aircraft docking guidance systems, gate management solutions and air traffic control technologies. The combination brought together businesses serving more than 2,000 airports for ADB and over 1,300 airports for Safegate, creating a platform with a presence across more than 175 countries worldwide. The transaction represented a key milestone in PAI’s value creation strategy following its acquisition of ADB in 2013. By combining the two companies, PAI aimed to strengthen the group's technological leadership, broaden its solution offering and accelerate international expansion. The merged entity, rebranded as ADB SAFEGATE, was positioned to become a leading provider of integrated airport solutions spanning the entire aircraft journey from landing to parking. Rothschild acted as financial advisor to PAI. Fairford Group was advised by Evercore and deNovo Corporate Advisors as financial advisors and by Ashurst as legal advisor.