“The best exit is staying in”
Petter Widén is always on the lookout for promising companies. As Consilium’s Vice President of M&A and Corporate Development, he scouts entrepreneur-led and niche-leading businesses worldwide and makes the case why joining a larger group is their smartest next move. We met him for tea to find out what he’s looking for.
Why should a company join Consilium?
“Because we are building the leading global Safety Tech company, and this is an opportunity to be part of that journey. As a company within Consilium, you get to have the cake and eat it too. You benefit from our global reach, network, and an operational framework that lets you scale rapidly while staying involved. With our backing, you can achieve the growth you’ve envisioned.”
What types of companies tend to thrive within the Consilium family?
“We look for companies led by committed founders with strong teams. Ideal candidates are leaders in their product or technology niche, or in their customer, geographic, or industry segment. We evaluate financial and operational performance, as well as the team’s track record of delivering results.”
What are you looking for right now?
“Our foundation is fire and gas detection, but what sets us apart is our drive to expand Safety Tech with new and complementary technologies. We are looking for motivated entrepreneurs who want to integrate their innovations into our global network and scale to new levels. For the right partner, this is the ultimate fast-track to growth inside our Safety Tech ecosystem.”
Which recent acquisitions have been particularly successful, and how have you supported them?
“I can mention a few. Daspos has entered the new-build market in China and secured several major customers in Europe. Consilium Safety Türkiye, formerly Ares Marine, has secured a global agreement with a third-party supplier. They’re all now part of the Consilium family, and it is rewarding to support their growth. Our recent acquisition of Insplorion is also exciting. It strengthens our position in gas sensing and hydrogen detection through proprietary nanoplasmonic sensor technology, and supports our strategy to build a leading platform in safety and sensing technologies.
What would you say to entrepreneurs who are starting to consider joining a larger group?
“We don’t acquire companies to fold them into a corporate structure. We invest in founders because their drive, their people and products fuel innovation and growth. You keep leading the business, with tools and resources that remove roadblocks and open doors you could never access on your own. Let’s meet for lunch. We can see if our goals and values match. If they do, we can quickly explore how you can join Consilium and grow with us.”
