QUBE Automotive acquired by Total Specific Solutions

Automotive software and IT solutions provider QUBE Automotive has been sold to Total Specific Solutions (TSS) in a deal designed to accelerate the company’s growth strategy.

Founded in 2010, Maidstone-based QUBE provides international vehicle manufacturers in the UK and mainland Europe with software solutions for their aftersales, trade and purchase requirements, as well as bespoke development and consultancy services.

QUBE’s specialists, operating across all areas of the automotive market, have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by manufacturers and dealers in a highly competitive industry. This enables the provision of high-quality, reliable and effective business intelligence data, and web-based marketing and reporting systems.

In a transaction advised by Joe Norris, KBS Corporate Associate Corporate Director, QUBE was sold to Dutch-based vertical market software firm TSS – becoming its 12th company in the UK and Ireland and increasing its automotive portfolio in Europe to six businesses.
Seamus O’Donnell, Managing Director of QUBE, believes TSS, which is active across a wide range of sectors, is the ideal fit to take the business to the next level.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved as a software company of our size – it’s impressive,” said Seamus. “To move forward with our growth strategy, we needed backing from a large company. We found that in TSS.

“Not only is TSS a perpetual owner, meaning it buys once and holds forever, but it also believes in the value of growing companies that are close to their clients and can quickly anticipate market changes.

“This is particularly appealing to us, as over the years we have built a well-respected reputation in our part of the automotive vertical. It’s a time of change, and to stay ahead of the competition we are ready to continue our journey.”

Seamus also posted a five-star Google review praising the work of KBS throughout the transaction process, writing: “Fantastic service from Joe Norris and the team at KBS. From our initial discussions through to completion of sale. Highly recommended.”

Matt Seymour, Technical Director at QUBE, commented: “Through the acquisition, we are now part of an international group with around 10,000 colleagues who share knowledge and best practices.

“This will give us new insights into this changing landscape, which we can apply to our domain and continue to offer our clients innovative, high-value software and services.

“We look forward to learning and applying TSS’s best practices, and being part of a large software group that allows QUBE to set the benchmark for quality and efficiency in our market.”

TSS, an international provider of IT business solutions which consists of independent business units that deliver products and services to their specific vertical market segments, is part of Topicus.com Inc., a public company listed on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange.

Topicus.com Inc. is part of the ecosystem of Constellation Software Inc. (CSI), a global provider of vertical business solutions.

Jasper Bollen, General Manager at TSS, commented: “QUBE is an excellent addition to our growing portfolio in the UK and Ireland and strengthens our offering for the automotive vertical. Through the acquisition of QUBE, we now have a solution for vehicle manufacturers that focuses on improving the efficiency of their operations.

“Like TSS, QUBE places strong emphasis on staying close to its clients, providing innovative, bespoke web-based reporting and marketing systems, automotive consultancy, and data management solutions to vehicle manufacturers across the UK and mainland Europe.

“The experienced team of consultants and analysts, with extensive knowledge of the automotive market, is highly regarded by vehicle manufacturers and automotive dealer networks.

“I look forward to seeing Portfolio Manager Peter van der Zwan and Player-Coach Tom Bina working closely with Seamus O’Donnell and his team at TSS, sharing our practices with them, and learning more about their practices and ways of working.”

KBS Corporate’s Joe Norris expressed thanks to K3 Law, a fellow K3 Capital Group company, for the important legal work provided in helping to bring the transaction to a successful conclusion.