European ARM Giant Buys German Collector, Looks to Consolidate ARM Market

One of the largest ARM firms in the world, Lindorff Group, announced Wednesday that it has acquired Aktiv-Inkasso Pleil AG, a German collection agency.

"The acquisition of Aktiv-Inkasso Pleil AG is in line with Lindorff’s growth strategy and adds a new dimension to Lindorff’s position in Germany,” said Urs Baumann, CEO of Lindorff Group, in a press release.

Lindorff Group is a leading provider of outsourced receivables management services in Europe. Lindorff has operations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, The Netherlands, Russia, Germany and Estonia and employs more than 2,000 people. In 2007, the company reported revenues of $530 million.

In January, Oslo, Norway-based Lindorff acquired the Dausend Group in Cologne, forming the basis for Lindorff Germany (“Major European ARM Firm Buys German Collection Agency,” Jan. 3).

Drawing on the models for professional debt collection, developed and refined in its home Nordic market, Lindorff has the stated ambition of expanding into new markets through acquisition.

“These acquisitions are our first steps through which we will contribute to the consolidation of the receivables management industry in Germany. Aktiv-Inkasso Pleil AG is a great company with particular business insight, and will be a vital part of our German platform," said Baumann.

Heppenheim, Germany-based Aktiv-Inkasso employs 65 people and specializes in bank and other financial services collections.