Shift4 buys German POS Vectron & cloud-based Revel Systems

By Gloria Methri

Shift4, the specialist in integrated payments and commerce technology, has acquired a majority stake in Vectron Systems AG, one of the largest European suppliers of point-of-sale (POS) systems to the restaurant and hospitality verticals.

Based in Germany, Vectron has ~65,000 POS locations across Europe, representing ~€25 billion in volume opportunity with minimal payment monetization today. Shift4 will acquire additional ownership of Vectron through a public tender offer that is expected to conclude within the next month, with a de-listing and formal integration process to occur shortly thereafter.

The acquisition will provide Shift4 with an expanded customer footprint across Europe as well as a distribution network of ~300 POS resellers. Shift4 will be able to add its integrated payment services to current Vectron customers and products while also empowering the sales force with a compelling all-in-one POS and payments solution unrivalled in Europe.

“Shift4 was at the forefront of the convergence between software and payments in the restaurant and hospitality verticals in the US. We see an incredible amount of demand for a similar all-in-one solution across Europe,” said Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman. “With our integrated payments and SkyTab offering, we have the best solution at the right price point. Vectron will provide valuable local expertise, infrastructure, and the distribution necessary to meet the demand. This acquisition is right out of the Shift4 playbook – enabling us to unlock synergies, expand our distribution, and monetize payments for a large existing install base.”

In addition to the acquisition of Vectron, Shift4 has also completed its previously announced acquisition of Revel Systems. Revel has over 18,000 merchant locations across the US and internationally which represents over a $17 billion payment opportunity. Revel also has a direct sales and dealer distribution network which can be leveraged to accelerate SkyTab distribution both domestically and abroad.