As a young and innovative group of established companies, we are involved in and contribute to designing and furnishing public spaces with products which enable modal transport, socialisation and interaction, along with sustainable and circularity design principles.

From the very first moment since forming the CROWD group, we have aimed for encouraging people to go outside and becoming the leading group in street furniture, public sheltering and bicycle parking infrastructure across Western Europe.

Back in 2019, we already took over a small stake of 20% of LUMIGUIDE, whilst the business was developing. Now it is with great pleasure that today, we as CROWD are delighted to announce the 100% acquisition of LUMIGUIDE Smart Mobility Solutions in the Netherlands.

LUMIGUIDE is a smart cities solutions provider. They harness the power of IT and data technology to help cities make cost-efficient choices today and create sustainable urban policies for tomorrow. With their tailored mobility advice and Smart Mobility Solutions based on the latest technologies, they serve governments and companies worldwide.

LUMIGUIDE have a passion for software development and creating livable cities – this means making sure that everybody can move around the city with ease and in a sustainable way. This includes stress-free parking of bicycles or cars and getting the right information at the right time whilst finding the way through the city. It also means unclogged city-centers and a pleasant environment for city dwellers and visitors alike.

To realize their vision of smart, sustainable and satisfying places to live and move in, LUMIGUIDE builds on three successful solution-oriented pillars: Smart Parking Management (help commuters to find available parking spaces and the municipalities to monitor their parking facilities), Urban Mobility Management (offer insight into pedestrian and bicycle traffic flows within the city and their Smart Waste Management ensures efficient waste collection and reduces carbon dioxide emissions) and Smart Data Management (include a modular smart city dashboard where all smart city data can be combined and monitored). 

 

James Steward, CEO CROWD Group, says:

“CROWD have always believed in the people, and products generated by LUMIGUIDE. To show this commitment we (CROWD) took a small stake of 20% back in 2019, whilst the business was developing. From this we built our foundations, trust, relations and the business direction and development further. Today we welcome LUMIGUIDE fully into CROWD group by acquiring the remaining 80% shareholding whilst of course retaining the whole team of very talented individuals.

Our vision states that we wish to "Be the leading group in street furniture, public sheltering, and bicycle parking infrastructure with a key focus on Circularity and Smart city solutions across western Europe."

We are indeed the leading group in Europe now, and with LUMIGUIDE fully into the group, our smart city solutions focus, and plans can be fully developed, deployed and achieved.

We warmly welcome LUMIGUIDE to our group and are very excited to develop ourselves further into the realms of the smart city.”

 

Monique Harmsen, CEO of LUMIGUIDE underlines this statement saying:

“In joining forces with the CROWD Group, with its leading position in the European market for bicycle parking infrastructure, parking tech front runner LUMIGUIDE Smart Mobility Solutions will be able to expand its horizons even further. The strong shared values within the Group with regards to sustainability, client focus and knowledge sharing will enable us to do what we do even better than before: create smart solutions to promote cycling as an integral part of urban mobility. As the market leader in AI-based bicycle detection systems, we at LUMIGUIDE Smart Mobility Solutions are very much looking forward to working with CROWD to develop new technologies that will benefit our clients. We are all very excited to see what the future brings!”

 

About CROWD

Creators of the outside world is a young and innovative group of established companies that is involved in designing and furnishing the public space. CROWD’s key focus areas are within Cycling Infrastructure, Shelters and Street furniture.

CROWD aims to make a conscious contribution to the living environment of society by developing products which enable modal transport, socialisation, and interaction, along with sustainable and circularity design principles. CROWD’s majority shareholder is CONVENT CAPITAL.

CROWD was founded in 2014 and via its buy & build strategy consists now with the acquisition of LumiGuide of 6 companies, namely VelopA, ZIEGLER, IJslander, HITSA (including LAMPAS) and Bailey Street Furniture Group (including Cyclepods). Group turnover is more than €120 mio, with a total of 9 main office locations throughout 5 countries and 5 production locations.

 

Being an innovative and young group of established companies, it has always been our vision since our foundation in 2014 to have a significant impact on the outside living environment.

It is with great pleasure that today, we as CROWD are delighted to announce the acquisition of HITSA A/S in Denmark.

With the acquisition of HITSA A/S we have come to a significant step closer to realizing our vision of creating sustainable, smart, and innovative public spaces.

The HITSA Group is owned by CEO Henrik Andersen and Den Sociale Kapitalfond. Since its the very beginning, the HITSA name has been synonymous with high-quality furniture for urban spaces. They design and manufacture urban furniture and cycling products. With their products, they intend to create value for their users. On January 1^st 2021 the fusion of two family-owned companies, HITSA and VEKSØ merged into HITSA - unifying both companies into one.

HITSA is based in Kolding, Denmark, home to its sales, design, and administration departments, their steelworks, carpentry workshop, and powder-coating facility. The production takes place at their own facilities, with a focus on design, craftsmanship, and quality. At the moment HITSA has 100 employees at its sites in Denmark, Sweden, and Latvia, including metalworkers, carpenters, painters, designers, sales staff, and installers.

Furthermore, HITSA work on making social inclusion and environmental as well as climate sustainability a part of their culture. The aim is to create social value while generating economic value. Also in terms of sustainability, HITSA has a clear vision. They want to move forward as a business that takes responsibility for our environmental impact and climate footprint. That is why, in 2020, they developed a strategy for corporate sustainability and are working towards it. Likewise, since 2021 HITSA is a member of the local sustainability Green Network.

Integrating sustainability into all aspects of a company is an important mission, which includes, among environmental topics, social responsibility for other people, such as the full integration of marginalized employees into the company and the culture. Thus offering a strong ESG (environment, social, governance) profile is something we support in our group and we appreciate continuing work with this social responsibility.

James Steward, the CEO of CROWD Group, says "2022 is building into a landmark year for CROWD group, In January we announced the acquisition of Baileys Street Furniture group which we soon after consolidated alongside Cyclepods into CROWD UK, the soon to be number 1 cycling infrastructure and street furniture infrastructure provider in the UK!

And now I'm incredibly pleased to announce that CROWD group has acquired HITSA Group A/S, the market leading business in cycling infrastructure and street furniture within Denmark and Sweden!

HITSA and CROWD group have already a positive history via many years of trading with VelopA (A CROWD group company for 10 years), focusing heavily on Cycling infrastructure products.

With this acquisition we intend to build upon this relationship further as well as to expand the distribution of HITSA products throughout other CROWD group businesses, including the Lampas range of innovative street lighting systems, invest and develop the manufacturing capability of HITSA, share and learn within the product development arena and expand the marketing capabilities of HITSA via our central marketing strategy and resource, to name but a few growth opportunities. Building CROWD Nordics into the Number 1 group for Street Furniture and Cycling infrastructure in Scandinavia.

CROWD group has a wealth of knowledge and experience within its operating companies dating back 60+ years, combine this with our far-reaching geographical range, leading and best practice marketing techniques, production expertise and capacity, and innovative in-house cutting-edge technologies within the smart city arena, CROWD has truly fulfilled its vision to be number 1 in North-western Europe! "

Roderick Wijsmuller, CFO of Crowd Group adds:

"Today, with the acquisition of HITSA Group, Crowd has laid another piece of the strategic puzzle it is trying to achieve. Not only are the companies complementary to each other, they will also reinforce each other with many strategic objectives being this one step closer. We welcome HITSA into the Crowd family very warmly and are looking forward to starting the integration and start driving the results of the Group and HITSA even further! "

Their vision is fully shared by Henrik Andersen, CEO of HITSA, who explains:

"With a new, European owner we stand even stronger in regard to developing HITSA as a supplier of urban furniture that lives up to both public and private clients' expectations in terms of quality, flexibility, and ability to compete. The new ownership means resources, knowledge, and networking across our current markets. I am pleased in particular by the fact that CROWD shares our values within social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and positive urban environments. We look forward to influencing the future of urban furniture in Scandinavia and Europe in cooperation with CROWD," says CEO at HITSA, Henrik Andersen.

Gynther Kohls, Chairman of the Board of Directors at HITSA underlines this statement saying:

“Since 2018 and the acquisition of the company Veksø, HITSA has grown from a small metalworking company to an innovative, competitive, and modern industrial manufacturer with a strong brand in the Scandinavian market and with daily management committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Employees and managers can proudly look back at an amazing journey, which now continues with CROWD at the table. The new owners will - form the basis of HITSAs strong values and culture - continue the task of becoming the leading partner in the development, and distribution of urban furniture and products for cycling infrastructure in markets in all of Scandinavia. My best wishes for everyone on the continued journey - it's going to be exciting to see, where it leads.”

At Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest, which since 2018 has been the main shareholder of HITSA, managing partner Lars Jannick Johansen is pleased with the sale to CROWD:

"HITSA has completed a tremendous development process which has included acquisition, efficiency improvements, product development, and Scandinavian expansion while strengthening social responsibility, ESG commitment and good results. CROWD, with their European ambition and the focus on social and environmental responsibility, are a strong new owner in regard to HITSAs future development," he says.

About CROWD

Creators of the outside world is a young and innovative group of established companies that are involved in designing and furnishing the public space. CROWD’s key focus areas are Cycling Infrastructure, Shelters, and Street furniture.

CROWD aims to make a conscious contribution to the living environment of society by developing products that enable modal transport, socialization, and interaction, along with sustainable and circularity design principles. CROWD’s majority shareholder is CONVENT CAPITAL.

CROWD was founded in 2014 and via its buy & build strategy consists now of the acquisition of HITSA of 7 companies, namely VelopA, Ziegler, Ijslander, Cyclepods, Bailey Street Furniture Group, and Lumiguide. Group turnover is more than €120 Mio, with a total of 9 main office locations throughout 5 countries and 3 production locations.

About ”Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest”

Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest is an investment partner for small and medium-sized companies, that helps companies to fulfill their full potential for growth, positive social contribution to the local community, and high company value. The capital fund is the first impact investment fund in Denmark with a focus to obtain both financial return and social effect.

Contact person regarding the sale – “Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest”:

Lars Jannick Johansen

E-mail: ljj@socialkapitalfond.dk

Phone: +45 2961 6892

Contact person regarding the sale – HITSA A/S:

CEO at HITSA A/S

Henrik Andersen

E-mail: hea@hitsa.dk

Phone: +45 3046 4560

Since its foundation in 2014, Creators of the Outside World (CROWD) have had the ambition to make a significant impact on the outside public living environment.

A young and innovative group of established companies, we are involved in and contribute to designing and furnishing public spaces with products which enable modal transport, socialisation, and interaction, along with sustainable and circular design principles.

From the initial moment of forming the CROWD group, we have aimed for encouraging people to go outside and become the leading group in street furniture, public sheltering, and bicycle parking infrastructure across Western Europe.

It is with great pleasure that today, we as CROWD are delighted to announce the acquisition of Bailey Street Furniture Group (BSFG).

After being active for many years in street furniture arena, Ian Bailey founded BSFG back in 2003 with the straight-forward vision ‘to build a better world by creating stimulating and functional outdoor spaces, that allow us to thrive and enhance our everyday lives.’

It was only in 2020 that after years of successful development, Bailey Street Furniture Group was established, merging affiliated brands (Baileys Street Scene, Artform, AMV playgrounds and Street furniture direct) and all associated products into one core group umbrella. Since its beginning, the Bailey name has been synonymous with high quality and reliable external furniture making them one of the leading companies in the UK in our field.

Ian Bailey and the BSFG management team are extremely enthusiastic about the integration into the CROWD group of companies. Having made significant progress year-on-year in improving their day-to-day operations and strengthening their market position, this collaboration is the next step in continuing the plans for future growth in the UK.

Being already established in the UK market Cyclepods – a brand well-known for their focus on cyclists, design and sustainability - it was a logical conclusion and consequence in the wake of the acquisition of BSFG to form a new UK Group combining both companies.

Combing experience of street furniture, canopy & playground divisions, with the clear market leader in cycle parking & storage solutions (Cyclepods), provides a robust, comprehensive, and consolidated offer to the UK market.

James Steward, CEO CROWD Group, says ‘I am pleased to announce that Our Mission, to encourage people to go outside, alongside Our Vision, to be the leading group in street furniture, public sheltering, and bicycle parking infrastructure with a key focus on Circularity and Smart city solutions across Western Europe, by 2023 is well within our grasps due the acquisition of Bailey Street Furniture Group (BFSG). Our newly formed UK Group combining both Cyclepods and BFSG, provides full geographic coverage to the UK, with locations in Kent, Lancashire and Cheshire, a comprehensive product portfolio spanning street furniture, play, cycling infrastructure and sheltering, and, last but by no means least, UK based manufacture! Reshoring manufacture to the UK plays a pivotal role within CROWD enabling us to meet and hopefully exceed our Circular and sustainability goals. We are firmly committed to CROWD UK and its own local mission to be number one in the UK market!’

Following the statement of James Steward, CEO of the CROWD Group, the strategic synergies freed and released by combining both companies are obvious and will bring a huge amount of value to both the group and all companies within.

As newly assigned CEO for the UK group, David Leach says that ‘the acquisition of Bailey Street Furniture Group into the CROWD Group is a hugely significant and exciting opportunity for everyone involved and I am personally very honoured to be leading the way forward in my new role as the CEO for the UK group. It is significant to our market sector as, with CROWD group’s backing, we will continue on the trajectory of the great business Ian Bailey and his team has built, to become the number one provider for innovation, design and quality, when it comes to SMART, sustainable, street furniture and cycle parking infrastructure. With David Pringle continuing as MD of Bailey Street Furniture Group and with Cyclepods joining the Bailey Street Furniture Group stable of companies, I believe we are perfectly positioned to deliver on this vision.’

His vision is fully shared Ian Bailey, founder of the BSFG and David Pringle, Managing director of the BSFG :

‘Having achieved our long term objective to build BSFG into an established and leading provider of street furniture and associated products to the UK construction sector, I am delighted that the acquisition by CROWD Group, their clear vision and industry experience, makes them the perfect fit and custodians of the brand in the UK going forward’. Ian Bailey, Business founder and outgoing CEO of BSFG.

‘The existing BSFG team are extremely enthusiastic about the integration plans and share the vison of CROWD in the UK & Europe. We look forward to collaboration, growth and combining the experience of our street furniture & playground divisions, with the clear market leader in turnkey cycle parking & storage solutions. Providing a robust, comprehensive and consolidated offer to the UK construction, infrastructure and educational sectors’. David Pringle, Managing Director of BSFG.

It was with unwavering engagement and support from Convent Capital, majority shareholder in CROWD, that we have been able to take this significant step forward towards achieving our vision and ambitions.

Dirk Hoorn, Co-founder of Convent Capital says ‘from the outset we believed that by forming the CROWD group in 2014 we could play a positive key role in the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people, along with contributing to the Circular economy. 8 years on we at Convent are incredibly proud to witness the continued growth within the group which, with it brings the continued and enhanced contribution to wellness in society by inspiring active travel, play and sport along with socialisation and cleanliness in the public domain. The addition of Baileys Street furniture Group not only strengthens the group from a geographical and revenue perspective but also just as importantly, from a production point of view which enables our circular ambitions even further.’

About CROWD

Creators of the outside world is a young and innovative group of established companies that is involved in designing and furnishing the public space. CROWD’s key focus areas are within Cycling Infrastructure, Shelters and Street furniture.

CROWD aims to make a conscious contribution to the living environment of society by developing products which enable modal transport, socialisation, and interaction, along with sustainable and circularity design principles. CROWD’s majority shareholder is CONVENT CAPITAL.

CROWD was founded in 2014 and via its buy & build strategy consists now with the acquisition of Bailey Street Furniture Group of 6 companies, namely VelopA, Ziegler, Ijslander, Cyclepods and Lumiguide. Group turnover is more than €80mio, with a total of 7 office locations throughout Europe and 378 employees.