ARC expands into the Benelux region with two new acquisitions
STOCKHOLM 2022-10-03. ARC Arise Consulting expands its presence in continental Europe with the acquisitions of design agency Fabrique and development agency Q42 in the Netherlands. ARC is bringing vital competencies geographically closer to clients as part of its relentless pursuit to support them achieve their business goals. With the addition of Fabrique and Q42, ARC grows to a total of 16 companies and over 1200 talents with world-class expertise in communication, innovation, strategy, tech, and marketing.
We know our clients are looking to us for swift action in making their businesses resilient while continuing to support them with their growth journeys. With the acquisition of Q42 and Fabrique, we are bringing best-in-class digital innovation competencies to our clients in wider Europe and beyond” says Mattias Olofsson.
Mattias continues, “Both Q42 and Fabrique are two passionate and seasoned agencies that put people and craft first – values that match ARC’s DNA. We are excited to welcome them to the group”.
Leading ARC’s growth in the Netherlands will be Fabrique’s former CEO, Gert Hans Berghuis. “We believe that this era of innovation is design-led and tech-enabled. With the acquisition of Fabrique and Q42 we’re kickstarting the challenge of building ARC in the Benelux region and accelerating our growth at speed and scale as well as that of our clients”.
Stef Brooijmans, CEO at Q42: “The connection with the Swedes has been remarkably good from the start. Like us, they strongly believe that people and impact are of utmost importance. We have a common goal: raising the innovation bar of industries with market leaders and start-ups alike. As engineers, we can realize our dreams even better thanks to ARC’s additional expertise in hardware, branding, and strategic expertise. Because of the many years of collaboration with Fabrique, it feels very good to embark on this adventure together.”
Matthijs Klinkert, CEO at Fabrique: “For almost 20 years, Fabrique and Q42 have been doing their best work together. We both have strong cultures that are different, but we have always been aligned on fundamental principles, like being open, curious, and thinking ahead. When ARC was introduced to Fabrique, we instantly recognized the match in work culture and principles for both Fabrique and Q42 and both saw the opportunity. The ARC platform makes it possible for us to accelerate our growth and our international ambitions.”
About ARC Arise Consulting
By bringing together companies with contrasting and passionate perspectives and experiences, ARC Arise Consulting has built a completely new kind of consultancy – A “powerhouse” to accelerate its clients’ digital growth and sustainability.
ARC operates at the intersection of sales and marketing, branding and communication, innovation and technology, and strategy and change. Today, ARC consists of Cupole, Curamando, Conversionista, Ariel, Animal, Kurppa Hosk, Nameless.today, Above, Umain, Mission anew, Curious Mind, Heydays, Goods, BLCK Communication, Fabrique, and Q42 – a diverse team of creative, strategic, and digital talents.
Altor Equity Partners is the leading external investor supporting the group’s growth journey. Altor is a minority owner and ARC is run in majority by the active founders and shareholders in the company.
About Q42
Q42 builds digital products that make people’s lives smarter, better, and more fun. Since 2000, Q42 has been helping companies like Philips, Lightyear, PostNL, HEMA and Rijksmuseum from ideas to impactful products. Apps, websites and connected devices that every Dutch person regularly uses. As a digital product studio, Q42 also develops its own ventures like video chat app Mibo, ultra-res storytelling tool Micrio and tech for good start-up Hack The Planet.
About Fabrique
Fabrique is a digital design agency, specialized in service design, app development, e-commerce and website design. A design agency that makes meaningful experiences. For our clients, for ourselves and for society in general. Together we create surprising projects that make our complex world usable for people. We design more than products and services: one hundred curious people design surprise, connection and return on investment. Since 1992 we have been working for a broad spectrum of clients, like Rijksmuseum, HEMA and Luxaflex.
Gert Hans Berghuis, Stef Brooijmans, Mattias Olofsson, Matthijs Klinkert (from left to right) – Photo Maurice Haak, Q42