The Federal Association for Mergers & Acquisitions (BMA) presented its M&A Award for Lifetime Achievement to Max Schaber, founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DATAGROUP. This award, established in 2023 as detailed on the BMA website at https://www.bma.de, recognizes outstanding contributions to mergers and acquisitions in Germany and underscores the critical role of long-term M&A strategies in achieving sustainable business success. For HR vendors serving the talent management industry, Schaber's recognition and DATAGROUP's methodology provide a compelling case study in human-centric acquisition practices.
The annual award ceremony in Berlin serves as a platform to highlight successful, innovative, and sustainable transactions while promoting industry best practices. Awards are judged across ten categories based on criteria including strategic relevance, economic success, innovation, and sustainability. Schaber was honored specifically for his exceptional commitment and pioneering work in M&A. Since DATAGROUP's initial public offering in 2006, the company has successfully acquired and integrated more than 30 companies into its organization. This has been achieved through consistently pursued "buy and turn around" and "buy and build" strategies, which have contributed significantly to the consolidation of the German IT services market.
Of particular relevance to HR professionals and vendors is DATAGROUP's emphasis on preserving acquired companies, their customer relationships, and their service portfolios during integration. This approach not only strengthens the corporate group's overall performance but also provides employees of acquired companies with a long-term, secure perspective. The company's acquisition strategy is noted for its optimal integration of new entities, a process that prioritizes human capital stability. Schaber emphasized that the award recognizes not only his personal achievements but also the dedication of DATAGROUP's employees, whose expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have positioned the company as a leading German IT service provider.
The success in M&A is attributed to partnership thinking, sustainable integration, and the principle that people are central to every transformation. DATAGROUP employs approximately 3,700 people across Germany, designing, implementing, and operating IT infrastructures and business applications. Through its CORBOX product, detailed at https://www.datagroup.de/en/corbox, the company acts as a full-service provider supporting IT workplaces for medium and large enterprises and public authorities. DATAGROUP continues to grow both organically and through acquisitions, actively participating in the ongoing consolidation of the German IT services industry.
Schaber's career exemplifies a responsible and future-oriented acquisition policy that balances economic objectives with social responsibility. This recognition highlights how strategic M&A approaches can effectively drive market consolidation while maintaining a focus on employee welfare and sustainable business practices. For HR vendors, this underscores the growing importance of integration strategies that safeguard talent and corporate culture during mergers, a critical consideration for clients navigating similar transactions. The award reinforces that successful M&A extends beyond financial metrics to encompass human resource stability, offering a model for vendors advising on talent retention and organizational development in consolidating industries.
