HR Outsourcing Services for Company Acquisition in Europe

Acquiring in Europe
Acquiring a new company is an exhilarating step for any small, mid, or large business. However, company acquisitions in Europe — especially for US or UK based companies — can also present a new set of challenges.

Understanding the market and the culture of a European company, thorough knowledge of the nuances in labor laws and employment regulations, and a well-trained, excellent HR team are all paramount components to a smooth transition.

If you’re in the market to acquire another company in Europe, outsourcing your human resources (HR) could prove to be a wise step. Europe HR Solutions has helped numerous companies with innovative, customized solutions for their HR needs.

Let’s take a look at the vital questions you need answered to provide a seamless transition and how HR outsourcing services for company acquisition in Europe may be a key to your success.

What you need to know about HR outsourcing in Europe

Acquiring new companies in Europe can grow your brand recognition, market presence, and your company’s value. However, company acquisition also requires a comprehensive understanding of the existing culture both within the acquired business and within the workplace.

It’s also vital that you move forward with a thorough knowledge of intricate laws and varying business practices. The unique laws and culture of the European company you’ve acquired need innovative, localized HR solutions. 

From payroll administration to legal compliance to talent acquisition and retainment, the layered mountain of necessary HR responsibilities can prove difficult for companies to navigate on their own.  

Outsourcing HR in Europe after a company acquisition can save you legal delays and long-term costs. The right team can handle your significant HR tasks and allow you to focus on the big picture of growing your business.    

What to expect with Europe HR Solutions
Keys to successful company acquisition in Europe
Contact Europe HR Solutions

HR outsourcing services are employed to aid in the transition of acquired companies, minimizing disruptions.

What to expect with Europe HR Solutions

Europe HR Solutions is a leading international firm specializing in HR outsourcing, and has worked with a wide variety of US and UK businesses expanding to Europe. Our priority is to ensure that you have the HR support you need to succeed and grow your business.

We adhere to industry best practices, offer customized solutions, and utilize our in-depth knowledge of local practices to ensure compliance, streamline your HR operations, and foster a healthy and thriving work environment.

Our outsourced HR team can help with the following:

Talent acquisition:
We understand the European market and the trends in talent acquisition and retention. We can help you implement best practices to attract top-tier talent, and advise you on competitive market practices to hire high caliber employees.

Compliance training for management and employee training programs:
We can help you develop and implement training programs that ensure your management team adheres to legal compliance and your employees are well-equipped to meet top standards and productivity.

Cultivate a healthy workplace culture:
We can audit feedback from current and potential employees to help you foster an engaged, productive, and thriving work environment.

Implementation and research of benefits:
We can help you determine the best benefits packages and software solutions for your employees and implement these benefits.

Onboarding and offboarding checklists:
Onboarding and offboarding are equally vital aspects of the success of your acquisition. We can create strategic, detailed checklists to help these processes to go smoothly.

Payroll administration:
We can streamline your payroll solutions and take care of administration of payroll functions.

Streamlined policies and procedures:
We can streamline your employee handbook, policies, procedures, and training to ensure compliance with local, regional, and European Union laws and regulations.

Talent acquisition:
Attracting, acquiring, and retaining talent requires knowledge of industry standards and trends in Europe. We’ll utilize popular job boards and social media to help you attract top-tier talent.

Keys to successful company acquisition in Europe

If you’ve found a European company you’d like to acquire, you’ve probably already researched big picture issues such as profit and revenue margins, market visibility, and supply and demand. However, there are specific questions you still need to answer before signing your closing contract.

The due diligence process

Due diligence and research are an important part of the acquisition process. The right outsourced HR team can help you uncover the following before you close your deal:

Employee agreements:
Whether you plan on retaining the company’s workforce or you want to replace the former staff with team members you’ve hand-picked, you need to know what employee agreements are in place, and what you need to honor.

For example, are there executives who are due excessive severance packages? Did the current staff sign NDA agreements? Are there promised bonuses or raises due to employees?

Compensation and benefit plans:

You’ll need to know the salaries earned by current employees, and how to remain competitive in your offered wages and salaries. Are there any guaranteed bonuses? Are there deferred compensation accounts without funding or security?

Do current wages present a large cost exposure? Does the company have unfunded or unfunded obligations? Are there any existing issues with legal compliance?

In terms of benefits packages, an HR team can help you discern whether or not to keep the current benefits offered in place, or to find other packages to implement.

Payroll and salary structure:

You also need to know the strategies the acquired company has used to structure salary. Is the current plan complex and convoluted? Are the majority of current employees union members?

Staffing:

As you determine who to retain and who to offboard, you need an HR team to help you assess performance reviews and any current staffing issues

Workplace culture and diversity:

It’s vital to understand what workplace culture you’re inheriting as well. Do current employees feel their environment is positive and thriving? Is the staff diverse? HR staff interviews can help you determine where both great and small changes are necessary.

Compliance:

Legal compliance is, perhaps, the most crucial aspect of your company acquisition. You’ll need to uncover any employment litigation history, current policies and procedures, and perform an audit to ensure all company practices are in compliance with local, country, and EU regulations.

If the acquired company has an inhouse HR department, it’s still wise to utilize an unbiased, outsourced team to discern where changes need to be made.

Outsourcing HR tasks allows the company to focus on essential functions for a timely integration process.

Strategic implications for an M&A

Every merger and acquisition (M&A) comes with both positive and negative implications. An excellent HR team can help you to capitalize on the positive and overcome the negative. 

Some of the strategic implications of a European M&A can include:

How to integrate your workplace culture

It’s important that your newly-acquired team feels included in your company’s culture. Even if you choose to operate your new business separately from your existing company, your acquisition should make your business culture feel all-encompassing. Employees should feel like they’re part of your vision and that their work matters.  

Integrate your corporate values in all policies and procedures, and include them in your handbook. Begin your acquisition by bringing every member of your team to the same page and move forward together.      

Make the presence of your parent company known in the acquired company in a positive manner. Celebrate your new team and share infectious excitement about moving forward together. Check in with the team monthly or quarterly.

How to prepare for pre-close

As your European M&A becomes a tangible reality, there are important steps you need to take before the deal is finalized. An outsourced HR professional can help you create a strategic checklist and offer the support you need. 

Some of the vital steps to include in your pre-close checklist include:

  • Maintain a positive professional relationship and open communication with the seller throughout the closing process
  • Ensure that both companies understand every detail of the agreement
  • Obtain all necessary documentation, licensing, and permits before the sale is complete
  • Thorough review and audit of all company products, equipment, and procedures
  • Make certain all third-party financing is in place and funds are available for you to begin operations

Immediate and extended integration preparation

Immediate and extended preparation for your European company acquisition’s integration into your business and your business plan is important to plan for as well. Begin communications with your acquired team before the finalized sale. Share your intentions with them so they can partner with you in growing your business.

Select an integration team from within your current team to help streamline the integration process. Make sure the message you convey to your employees and management team is consistent. This will allow your immediate and extended integration to run smoothly.

Contact Europe HR Solutions

Europe HR Solutions understands the unique HR situations that company acquisitions entail. We’ve worked with numerous clients to support their successful international expansions. 

Our greatest priority is to take care of your HR needs, help you succeed, provide customized solutions, and alleviate your stress so that you can focus on your company’s overall mission.

Our HR outsourcing services for your company acquisition in Europe includes the high-pressured ad hoc solutions an M&A often requires.

Connect with Europe HR Solutions today and unlock the full potential of your company acquisition in Europe. Contact us for a free consultation and be sure to check out our blog for the latest HR insights, tips, and trends.

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      Our Client Testimonials

      We are proud to have worked with numerous UK- and US-based businesses as they have started their operations in Europe, including startups, acquisitions, and expansions.

      Here is what some of them have to say:

      Maham Zafar
      Our experience with Europe HR Solutions has been nothing short of exceptional. As an international company, ensuring HR compliance across ...
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      Maham Zafar
      Our experience with Europe HR Solutions has been nothing short of exceptional. As an international company, ensuring HR compliance across various regions is a complex challenge, and Europe HR Solutions has proven to be an invaluable partner in navigating this intricate landscape.From the outset, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities associated with international HR regulations. Their expertise in local labor laws and regulations has not only ensured our company's compliance but has also provided us with peace of mind knowing that we are in safe hands.
      Maham Zafar
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      Christos Kartalis
      Europe HR Solutions was main HR/Legal lead for a major restructuring in Europe in 2006. Amazing cross/dept/areas knowledge, ...
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      Christos Kartalis
      Europe HR Solutions was main HR/Legal lead for a major restructuring in Europe in 2006. Amazing cross/dept/areas knowledge, keenly results oriented, jelled with the team with decisive (especially for a "consultant") and highly accountable attitude. Europe HR Solutions are a amazing professionals, making things "easier" for management. I would work with them at any given next opportunity and would recommend them with out any reservations. Christos Kartalis. CEO, Int'l CIPLA.
      Andy Brown
      Europe HR Solutions have provided exceptional service consistently over a number of years to Genea Biomedx in Europe. As a ...
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      Andy Brown
      Europe HR Solutions have provided exceptional service consistently over a number of years to Genea Biomedx in Europe. As a business head quartered in Australia with no inhouse HR support on the ground in Europe this has been invaluable, not only during the start-up phase but also as the business has expanded. I highly recommend them.
      Chantelle Hilleard
      As a dynamic organization with a significant footprint across Europe, managing HR compliance and legal requirements across multiple countries is ...
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      Chantelle Hilleard
      As a dynamic organization with a significant footprint across Europe, managing HR compliance and legal requirements across multiple countries is a key aspect of our operations. Partnering with Europe HR Solutions has been a transformative experience, and we are immensely grateful for their support. Europe HR Solutions has been instrumental as our Pan-European HR compliance and legal partner. Their expertise and proactive approach have been essential in navigating a variety of change initiatives and day-to-day operations. They have expertly guided us through diverse local regulations and intricate legal landscapes with a high level of professionalism and dedication.The tailored solutions and strategic advice from Europe HR Solutions have been crucial in ensuring our operations are both compliant and agile across all regions. Their seamless integration into our projects and their flexibility in addressing our evolving needs have made them an invaluable partner in our journey. I highly recommend Europe HR Solutions to any organization seeking reliable, comprehensive, and expert HR compliance and legal support across Europe.
      Chantelle Hilleard
      Chantelle Hilleard
      Paul Grafham
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      Paul Grafham
      Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. The professional approach that they display is combined with a very personable manner, which has helped integrate them into the AngioDynamics team, and their expertise has assisted significantly in the growth of the international business. I would not hesitate to recommend Europe HR Solutions and the consultancy services offered, and believe they would be an asset to any organisation.
      Anouck Cerdan Boillat
      I've been using Europe HR Solutions in countries where the team size doesn't justify hiring a local HR professional, allowing ...
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      Anouck Cerdan Boillat
      I've been using Europe HR Solutions in countries where the team size doesn't justify hiring a local HR professional, allowing us to maintain a lean HR organization. This solution has been fantastic, offering a high level of expertise. Not only do I benefit from exceptional support, but the HR consultants also provide valuable insights into best practices. The team is engaged, available, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend their services to any company seeking top-quality HR support.
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      Anouck Cerdan Boillat
      Michelle Simpson
      Working with Inez and her team of partners in HR Europe has become a valuable partnership to Cold Jet. Their ...
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      Michelle Simpson
      Working with Inez and her team of partners in HR Europe has become a valuable partnership to Cold Jet. Their response time is excellent and the care they take in their response to our team has been appreciated. HR Europe has been a great resource for us to quickly address employment matters that cross many European borders. They make business a pleasure and they have quickly become an extenstion of our team. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them.
      Michelle Simpson
      Michelle Simpson
      Katie Rink
      Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back...
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      Katie Rink
      Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back in 2015, and at that time, she helped me navigate hiring my Company’s 1st employee in the Netherlands. In 2024, I found myself in a similar situation, and once again, I needed guidance to help navigate employment law, this time in France and Germany. Inez was quick to respond, easy to schedule time with, and she did a fabulous job listening/learning about my Company’s current state and our need. Quickly, she connected me with the country specific consultants from her team, who were both personable and knowledgeable, and I look forward to the next time I get to reach out to them again. Inez and her team are amazing resources that I am lucky to have as part of my network.
      Christina Lambourne
      Europe HR Solutions have been vital to the HR journey of our business. To begin with we had two...
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      Christina Lambourne
      Europe HR Solutions have been vital to the HR journey of our business. To begin with we had two small acquired businesses and one newly founded company which all needed some structure and a lot of knowledge as a good foundation. Inez’ team in UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands have been hugely supportive and were fundamental to put in place the solid policies and the processes we now have in place. Their highly professional approach in combination with true empathy and flexibility was a breath of fresh air. We had a true partnership for over 18 months now and know we can rely on the team in day to day as well as critical and more challenging situations. Europe HR Solutions have supported us with recruitment, general HR advisory, policies, TUPE, Coaching, redundancies, and everything in between. As the CFO for the business, I’m eternally grateful for all the very practical and human support I have received to date and look forward to continuing this relationship.
      Melanie Girardin
      Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are ...
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      Melanie Girardin
      Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are one of the most talented and efficient HR professionals I've ever met. This is a great pleasure to work with them. They are creative problem solvers, and trustworthy Advisors. Their recommendations are well thought out and clearly articulated. I give them my highest recommendation, without reservation.
      Check out our testimonials page to hear from more of our happy and satisfied clients! 

      Why choose Europe HR Solutions?

      Speed
      Our HR services professionals can start immediately and send answers to your needs within 24 hours or less.

      Immediately Operational & High Quality
      Our human resources consultants in Europe have many years of expertise. Our team will be able to help you immediately with your questions and projects.

      Flexibility
      We are HR experts who serve on an ad hoc basis, interim basis, project and retainer basis from a few weeks, months up to several years.

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