GBL Completes Majority Acquisition of Buko Group for 0.5 Billion Euros
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert announced on July 8, 2026, that it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in BUKO Group, a European leader in temporary traffic management services. GBL will invest 0.5 billion euros of equity to purchase shares held by funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe and the founding family.
A Key Acquisition in GBL's Diversification Strategy
The transaction, announced on April 23, 2026, marks the completion of the second acquisition by the Belgian group among the three announced this year. It follows the strategic update of November 2024, which aimed to increase the share of direct private assets in GBL's portfolio and to strengthen controlled or co-controlled holdings.
BUKO Group is a leading provider in Europe in the sector of temporary traffic management and road safety. The company primarily serves public utility projects, construction projects, and events. It operates in four key markets: the Netherlands (its home market), Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Germany, with a workforce of about 1,000 people.
GBL also indicated that this entry fits into the broader framework of its sectoral strategy, with BUKO being classified in the business services domain, one of the five priority sectors identified by the group. The BUKO management team will reinvest alongside GBL in this operation.
An Expanding Full-Service Portfolio in European Expansion
BUKO offers comprehensive end-to-end solutions in temporary traffic management, covering design, planning, permit acquisition, deployment, collection, and on-site management of traffic signage and road safety equipment. The company is also developing an increasing range of digital traffic management solutions.
Founded in 1991, BUKO has transformed into a strong and expanding international enterprise through its customer-centric approach. The stated ambition is to continue scaling up the group in Europe, through a combination of organic growth and mergers and acquisitions, by strengthening its presence in existing markets and penetrating new territories.
A Sector Supported by Positive Infrastructure Investment Cycles
GBL highlighted that the temporary traffic management sector benefits from a favorable environment, marked by positive investment cycles in infrastructure. The group also noted that, in the broader field of business services, the increasing importance of regulatory compliance and the growing outsourcing to third-party providers support a long-term structural growth.
