DATAGROUP Founder Max Schaber Receives M&A Lifetime Achievement Award

The Federal Association for Mergers & Acquisitions (BMA) has presented Max Schaber, founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DATAGROUP, with the M&A Award for Lifetime Achievement. This recognition highlights Schaber's exceptional contributions to Germany's mergers and acquisitions landscape and underscores the strategic importance of well-executed acquisition strategies in driving industry consolidation.

The M&A Award, established in 2023, has rapidly become a significant platform for recognizing excellence in the M&A sector. The annual ceremony in Berlin aims to showcase successful, innovative, and sustainable transactions while promoting industry best practices. Awards are determined based on multiple criteria including strategic relevance, economic success, innovation, and sustainability considerations.

Schaber's recognition stems from his pioneering work in mergers and acquisitions since DATAGROUP's initial public offering in 2006. Under his leadership, the company has successfully acquired and integrated more than 30 companies into its organization. The company's consistent application of "buy and turn around" and "buy and build" strategies has played a crucial role in consolidating Germany's fragmented IT services market, creating a more robust and competitive industry landscape.

What distinguishes DATAGROUP's approach is its emphasis on preserving the acquired companies' core strengths. The company maintains customer relationships and service portfolios while integrating new organizations, creating synergies that strengthen the overall corporate group. This methodology not only enhances business performance but also provides long-term job security for employees of acquired companies, demonstrating how strategic acquisitions can benefit all stakeholders.

"This award is not only a personal honor but also a recognition of the many dedicated employees at DATAGROUP," Schaber emphasized following the ceremony. "Their commitment, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit have made DATAGROUP one of the leading IT service companies in Germany. Our success in the M&A sector is based on partnership thinking, sustainable integration, and the belief that people are at the center of every transformation."

The lifetime achievement award carries significant implications for the broader business community. It validates the importance of long-term M&A strategies in achieving sustainable business success and serves as a model for responsible acquisition policies that balance economic objectives with social responsibility. Schaber's career demonstrates how thoughtful integration strategies can create value beyond mere financial metrics, contributing to industry stability and workforce continuity.

For the IT services sector specifically, DATAGROUP's approach offers a blueprint for successful market consolidation. As companies navigate increasing digital transformation demands, the ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses becomes critical for scaling operations and maintaining service quality. Schaber's recognition signals that sustainable M&A practices—those that prioritize people and long-term value creation—are gaining prominence in business evaluation criteria.

The award also highlights Germany's evolving M&A landscape, where strategic acquisitions are increasingly recognized as drivers of industry maturation and global competitiveness. As more companies look to acquisition strategies for growth, Schaber's lifetime achievement provides valuable lessons in balancing expansion ambitions with integration excellence and human capital preservation.