Will create the best IT environment for the utility industry
After Credo Partners became a shareholder in SYSCO earlier this year , the company has been provided with a rare combination of capital and expertise . SYSCO has set ambitious goals for growth and development in the years ahead , and this fits in with the plans of the company ’ s new majority shareholder .
Credo Partners is an investment company that specializes in investments and development of companies in the SME segment . In practice this means companies with a turnover of between 100 and 500 million NOK , but there are still a large number of criteria that must be met for the Fund to enter as an investor .
-Credo Partners is a financial investor who enters growth companies in a critical phase , and provides all the resources necessary to develop companies in the direction where we see the greatest potential , explains Gudmund S . Killi . He is the CEO and partner of the Oslo-based investment company .
Credo regularly get presentations on investment opportunities in different companies and spend a lot of time and resources to analyze and map the market , competitors and internal conditions before they decide on possible ownership . It has so far resulted in several successful investments and a leading position in the Norwegian SME market .
-In the initial stage we look at everything from the companies ’ products and services , customer portfolios and profitability to the composition of management , explains Killi . The process with SY- SCO was ongoing for about half a year before the Credo had the information they needed to make a decision . Another important aspect in this phase is to create mutual trust between the investor and the management of the company they invest in . This is a crucial factor to the success of the process of developing the company to new heights .
Killi says that there are several repeated patterns of expanding companies . The company grows from being a keen entrepreneurial environment , to establish a position in which both the operation and development are dependent on other structures and new competencies . -Often we see that companies ” become too big for themselves ,” says Killi adding that this is where their strength as experienced investors and active owners come in handy . As the representative from SY- SCO ´ s new major shareholder , Killi took over the chairmanship of the company earlier this fall . Time so far has been used to map out details of the company ’ s business , and he makes it no secret that he sees great opportunities for SYS- CO in future years . -Many often fear what happens when we as financial operator enter as an owner , tells Killi , but stresses at the same time there is no reason for fear neither from employees or customers . Credos clear aim is to strengthen SYSCO for further growth , and this means taking care of all the good qualities that are developed so far , and provide necessary resources where they see a need for improvement . It also applies to strategic considerations .
Where an entrepreneurial company might be opportunistic in relation to strategic direction , Credo sees that clear strategic focus is a prerequisite for successful growth beyond the state of the small business . One can no longer afford to spread across too many areas and have to choose what one has the best condition to be good at . Killi has seen this several times before . By defining the focus , distracting elements are also eliminated . This usually provides a direct impact on the company ’ s bottom line , and strengthens the possibility for further growth , he says .
Both technology and power industry is developing rapidly . It will keep changing , and this requires focus and discipline at all levels of the company ’ s operations .
SYSCO - good stories 2016 5