Advent International to acquire majority stake in Debitsuccess owner TSG

Global private equity investor Advent International has agreed to acquire a majority stake in payment solutions provider the Transaction Services Group (TSG), the owner of Links Modular Solutions, Debitsuccess and FFA PaySmart.

Founded in 1994 in Auckland, over the last three years TSG has more than doubled its revenue, through both strong organic growth and several strategic acquisitions.

Now also operating across Australia and the UK, with emerging customer bases in Japan, Europe, and the USA, TSG comprises Links Modular Solutions, Debitsuccess in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, FFA PaySmart in Australia, and DFC and Harlands Group in the United Kingdom.

TSG offers integrated payments, software and value-added services to gyms, community and childcare centres for management of their members and customers, to drive improved member retention and revenue performance, and reducing administrative burden and cost. 

Explaining the acquisition, Advent International Partner, Jeffrey Paduch stated “TSG represents a unique platform at the nexus of business management software and payments, which is well positioned for future growth.

"We are excited to support TSG to drive product innovation and further expand its geographical footprint."

Steven Holmes, Group Chief Executive at TSG, added “yhis is an exciting time for TSG, which has seen phenomenal growth in recent years. Our partnership with Advent will allow us to build on this momentum as we invest further in our platform to deliver ever-greater value to our clients. Advent’s distinguished track record in the payments and software space and global presence will be invaluable for TSG as we enter into the next phase of international expansion."

Advent has significant investment experience in the payments and software industries. In the past 10 years, Advent has invested $3.8 billion in nine platform companies in payments and $3.8 billion in six companies in software worldwide.

In addition to TSG, investments in the payments sector include Prisma, Clearent/Fieldedge, Concardis, Nexi, Nets, Worldpay, Vantiv and Monext while investments in the software sector include CCC Information Services, FinancialForce.com, P2 Energy Solutions, Skillsoft, Unit4 and KMD.