Mergers & Acquisitions (Industrials)

Liberta Partners beteiligt sich an der FMA Mechatronic Solutions AG, FL-Schaan

München / Schaan, 10. Oktober 2019 - Liberta Partners („LIBERTA“) übernimmt im Zuge einer Nachfolgepartnerschaft die Mehrheit der FMA Mechatronic Solutions AG („FMA“), einem mittelständischen Fertigungsdienstleister für mechatronische Baugruppen, mit Sitz in Schaan, Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Der bisherige Hauptaktionär, Stefan Dürr, bleibt weiterhin als geschäftsführender Gesellschafter im Unternehmen aktiv. FMA wurde durch den von LIBERTA initiierten Liberta Partners Fund II erworben, der im April 2019 aufgesetzt wurde. Über den Kaufpreis wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart.

FMA entwickelt und fertigt hochkomplexe mechatronische Baugruppen und Systemkomponenten und beliefert unter anderem Kunden aus der Halbleiterindustrie, der Wasserwirtschaft, der Medizinaltechnik sowie der Aluminiumindustrie. Zu den Alleinstellungsmerkmalen der FMA gehören insbesondere das langjährige Knowhow für mechatronische Fertigung sowie die herausragende Effizienz, Präzision und Liefertreue ab Losgrösse 1.

Stefan Dürr, geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der FMA, sagt: „Mit LIBERTA haben wir einen operativen Partner an unserer Seite, der langfristig und vorausschauend agiert. Mit unseren kundenspezifischen Produktlösungen planen wir, unseren Kundenstamm in Deutschland und im angrenzenden Ausland auszubauen. LIBERTA wird uns aktiv bei der Weiterentwicklung unterstützen.“

Dr. Peter Franke und Florian Korp, Partner von LIBERTA, ergänzen: „Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Stefan Dürr LIBERTA ausgewählt hat, um die Nachfolge zu gestalten und das Unternehmen erfolgreich für die Zukunft auszurichten. FMA wird neben unserem breiten Industrienetzwerk auch von unserer M&A Expertise für passende Add-on Akquisitionen profitieren. Wir werden FMA in den kommenden Jahren unternehmerisch dabei unterstützen, die gemeinsam definierten Wachstumsziele umzusetzen. Dabei hat für uns oberste Priorität, dass wir weiterhin den hohen Innovationsansprüchen der Kunden gerecht werden.“

Über FMA Mechatronic Solutions AG

Das 1955 gegründete Unternehmen mit Sitz im liechtensteinischen Schaan startete mit der Produktion und dem Vertrieb einfacher mechanischer Teile. Seit der Übernahme durch Herrn Stefan Dürr in den 90er Jahren hat sich die FMA zu einem namhaften Mechatronik-Dienstleister entwickelt. Als solcher beliefert die FMA unter anderem Kunden aus der Halbleiterindustrie, der Wasserwirtschaft, der Medizinaltechnik sowie der Aluminiumindustrie. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf: https://www.fma.li

Über Liberta Partners

Liberta Partners wurde 2016 gegründet und ist eine Multi-Family Holding mit Sitz in München. Liberta Partners investiert in Unternehmen im deutschsprachigen Raum mit einem klaren operativen und strategischen Entwicklungspotential, insbesondere in Konzernausgliederungen und Nachfolgesituationen. Diese werden im Rahmen des langfristigen „100% Core & Care“-Konzeptes aktiv entwickelt und profitieren vom innovativen unternehmerischen Verständnis von Liberta Partners. Das Team von Liberta Partners besteht aktuell aus acht Professionals aus den Bereichen M&A, Operations und Legal. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf: https://www.liberta-partners.com

 ZETRA International AG, Zürich, hat Stefan Dürr als exklusive M&A-Beraterin bei dieser Transaktion begleitet.

As part of the optimisation programme regarding the Thun manufacturing site and the company’s product portfolio which was communicated on 2 November 2017, Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) transferred its Solar Systems business (“Energy Systems”) and the 32 impacted employees to the newly created company 3S Solar Plus AG, which has been sold to Dr Patrick Hofer-Noser. Both parties have agreed to maintain confidentiality regarding the transaction price.

Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger: “By selling the Solar Systems unit to Patrick Hofer-Noser, we have found an industrial and especially also local solution for the MegaSlate® business and the employees.”

Patrick Hofer-Noser is a long-time, internationally respected specialist in the solar industry. He was a founding member and later Delegate of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of 3S Industries AG, in Lyss/Switzerland, which merged into Meyer Burger Group in 2010. Thereafter he was Chief Technology Officer and member of the Executive Board of Meyer Burger Group until 2012. From April 2012 until April 2017, Patrick Hofer-Noser was Head of Energy Systems and until he left Meyer Burger in December 2017 he held the position of Policy Liaison Officer.

Patrick Hofer-Noser: “Together with my employees and partners I look forward to further developing and expanding the market position of the aesthetic and reliable MegaSlate® solar roof and facade system which has been manufactured in Switzerland for more than 15 years and to making a contribution to protecting the climate.”

ZETRA International AG acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Meyer Burger in this transaction.

Glamox AS (“Glamox”), a leading provider of lighting solutions to the Northern European professional building industry and to the global marine and offshore market, acquires O. Küttel AG (“Küttel”), a former subsidiary company of Regent Beleuchtungskörper AG.

Rune E. Marthinussen, CEO of Glamox, commented: “We are excited about this strategic opportunity that will allow us to enter the Swiss lighting market. Küttel is a widely-recognized and well-respected brand in the Swiss industry”.

“The entire Küttel team is pleased to join the Glamox family. Under the ownership of Glamox, Küttel will be able to strengthen the offering of products and solutions to our customers”, added Walter Glanzmann, CEO of Küttel.

About Glamox
Glamox is a Norwegian industrial group with focus on developing, manufacturing and selling of professional lighting solutions to the global market. The Glamox Group is a leading supplier to the worldwide marine and offshore market and an important supplier to the land-based lighting industry in Europe. Glamox is a global organisation with 1’300 employees and an annual turnover of NOK 2’500 million (2016). The Group owns a range of quality lighting brands including Glamox, Aqua Signal, Luxo, Norselight and LINKSrechts. Glamox is committed to meeting customer needs and expectations by providing quality products and solutions, service and support.

About Küttel
Küttel AG, founded in 1946, is an innovative provider of lighting solutions for customers throughout Switzerland. In 1996, Regent Beleuchtungskörper AG, the market leader in Switzerland and one of Europe's most established lighting manufacturers, has acquired O. Küttel AG.

ZETRA International AG acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Regent Beleuchtungskörper AG, the seller in this transaction.

Im Rahmen der Führungs- und Kapitalnachfolge beteiligt sich Geschäftsleitungsmitglied G. Appel mit einer Minderheit an der Gigatherm-Gruppe. Gigatherm stellt Mikrowellengeräte für den Profi-Bereich her (Labors, Gastro, Spitäler, Convenience Food etc.). Besondere Stärken sind die technische Entwicklung und das Anwendungs-Know-How. Zusätzlich gehört ein deutscher Hersteller von Lebensmittel-Trocknungsanlagen zur Gigatherm-Gruppe sowie der Produktionsbetrieb Koller+Morger.

Arisdorf, 23. Mai 2017

Die Daniel Ruchti AG übernimmt ab 1. Juni die Aerni Fenster AG. Damit schliessen sich zwei Traditionsbetriebe in Familienbesitz zusammen. Beide legen Wert auf hohe Qualitätsansprüche und zählen viele zufriedene Kunden in der ganzen Schweiz.

Sowohl die Daniel Ruchti AG wie auch die Aerni Fenster AG sind bekannt für hochwertige Arbeit, Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation. Weil die beiden Firmen sich sehr ähnlich sind, ist der Zusammenschluss sinnvoll. Auch wirtschaftlich: ab 1. Juni zählt die Daniel Ruchti AG rund 200 Mitarbeitende und erzielt jährlich CHF 40 Mio. Umsatz.

Die Daniel Ruchti AG produziert in Gwatt (Thun) Aluminiumfenster und Tore. Seit der Gründung im Jahr 1976 ist die Firma kontinuierlich gewachsen und stellt inzwischen PVC- und Holzmetallfenster im eigenen Produktionswerk in Skopje (Mazedonien) her.

Die Aerni Fenster AG in Arisdorf ist der führende Nordwestschweizer Fensteranbieter mit Aussenstellen in Staad (SG) und Préverenges (VD). Die innovative Firma schaut auf eine fast 50-jährige Firmengeschichte zurück. Diese soll in einer neuen Form weitergeführt werden, betont die bisherige Besitzerfamilie Aerni: «Uns war es wichtig, dass die neue Firma unsere Werte teilt und auch gut aufgestellt ist. Die neue Eigentümerin verfügt über ausgezeichnete Kenntnisse im Fenster- und Metallbau und stärkt mit der Übernahme die Marktposition im Schweizer Fenstermarkt».

Das sieht Geschäftsführer und Inhaber Daniel Ruchti genau so: «Dank der Zusammenführung können wir die Produktentwicklung und das Marketing ausbauen und sogar weiteres Wachstum anstreben. Ich freue mich auf die Zukunft.»

Norton, OH, USA / Appenzell, Switzerland, 11 April 2016

ZETRA International and Brown Gibbons Lang & Co. are pleased to announce the divestiture of Fomo Products, Inc. to ICP Adhesives and Sealants, Inc. (ICP Adhesives), a divison of Innovative Chemical Products (ICP) Group. ICP Group is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity. 

Headquartered in Norton, Ohio, Fomo Products was founded in 1975 as part of the Switzerland-based FLM Group and is a manufacturer of low pressure one- and two-component polyurethane foam sealants, adhesives, pour-in-place and spray foam in pressurized, disposable, and refillable packaging. Fomo Products will be integrated with ICP Adhesives, which includes the pressurized polyurethane foam adhesives business formerly known as Polyfoam Products, Inc.

"We are enthusiastic to join the ICP Adhesives team," said Stefan Gantenbein, President and COO of Fomo Products. "The opportunity for continued growth and our complementary cultures make this an ideal fit. Through sharing best practices, scalable operational capacity, advanced technologies and talented leadership and employees, we can leverage both companies' capabilities to deliver great value to our customers." Mr. Gantenbein has been named division president of ICP Adhesives and Sealants.

"We are excited to welcome Fomo Products to the ICP family," said Doug Mattscheck, CEO of ICP Group. "These combined products and technologies propel us into a new chapter for the business. Additionally, these acquisitions will strengthen our ability to support our customers through innovation, as we continue to lead the specialty coatings and adhesives markets."

ZETRA International and Brown Gibbons Lang & Co., both members of Global M&A Partners, acted as exclusive financial advisors to the Seller.

Reinach, Switzerland / Garlate (Lecco), Italy, March 31, 2016

Hatebur Umformmaschinen AG is joining forces with Carlo Salvi from April 1, 2016. The Swiss company, based in Reinach, is acquiring all shares in the Italian company and taking on all employees. The current locations and successful Carlo Salvi brand will remain unchanged.

Thomas Christoffel, CEO of Hatebur, sees great potential in the acquisition: "The merger of Hatebur and Carlo Salvi will strengthen the positions of both companies and is the perfect geographical market expansion."

"Thanks to the small overlap between the product ranges, our customers will benefit from a single source and in particular from innovative technologies and services in the field of cold, warm and hot forming," says Dr. Sergio Ziotti, current owner and CEO of Carlo Salvi.

Hatebur is a global developer and distributor of hot and cold forming machines. The company was founded in 1930 and is 100% family-owned. It currently employs about 180 employees at its locations in Switzerland, China, Japan and Germany.

Carlo Salvi is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and distributor of cold forming machines. The company was founded in 1939 and currently employs about 90 employees at its locations in Italy, China, the US and UK.

Horgen, Switzerland / Lancaster, USA, 1 March 2016

Oetiker Group, a leading international manufacturer of connecting solutions, acquired all shares of Jiffy-tite Group effective 1 March 2016. The acquisition of Jiffy-tite, a leading manufacturer of fluid connection parts, allows Oetiker to gain a stronger foothold in the quick connect market and further strengthens its position as one of the leading suppliers of connecting technology to the automotive industry.

Jiffy-tite is a manufacturer of market leading, highly engineered fluid connection parts and assemblies primarily used in the automotive industry. The Company pioneered quick connectors for fluid transfer applications that include transmission oil cooling, engine oil cooling, and engine glycol cooling. Using this core technology, the company has subsequently developed connections for further applications such as thermal management systems, turbocharger systems, electric vehicle high current systems and all-wheel drive systems. Today, Jiffy-tite’s products are used on over 23 automobile brands all over the world. The company is headquartered in Lancaster, NY and has a second production facility in Batavia, NY and sales offices in Novi, MI and Frankfurt, Germany. The company generates revenues of approx. USD 90 million with a workforce of approx. 300 employees.

Jiffy-tite was founded by Robert and Shirley Zillig in 1963. The company shifted focus to the automotive industry in 1986 after their son, Steve Zillig, bought the business from his parents. “Our success in North America has earned us a reputation which has opened doors for us overseas. As our business continues to expand, we must adapt to customers who do not live within driving distance of us. Being now part of the global Oetiker Group, I see many growth opportunities for our products, especially in Europe and Asia”, says Steve Zillig, former owner and CEO of Jiffy-tite Group. “Furthermore, as family owned companies, both Jiffy-tite and Oetiker share a tradition of entrepreneurship and many common values and attributes, which makes Oetiker even more of an ideal partner for Jiffy-tite.”

"The acquisition of Jiffy-tite aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy to be a global leader for highend connecting solutions in the vehicle industry” says Thomas Meier-Bickel, CEO of Oetiker Group. "Jiffy-tite’s highly engineered, application focused products, especially its quick connects, are an optimal complement to our clamping portfolio, resulting in a broader offering of connecting solutions for a wider range of applications to our automotive customers.”

For additional information about Jiffy-tite please visit www.jiffytite.com

About Oetiker Group

Founded in Horgen, Switzerland in 1942, the Oetiker Group serves customers in over 70 countries and is a global leader in clamping and connection solutions. Oetiker designs, manufactures and distributes clamps, rings and quick connectors as well as appropriate assembly solutions for various Automotive and Industrial applications. The Oetiker Group is a privately held company with over 1500 employees worldwide in over 20 locations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2015, the company generated sales of CHF 271 million. For additional information about Oetiker Group please visit www.oetiker.com.

ZETRA International AG acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Oetiker Group. This is the third M&A-transaction closed by Oetiker Group with the support of ZETRA International AG over the last three years.

Pfäffikon, 7 December 2015

With a view to ensuring consistent alignment to Huber+Suhner's 3x3 strategy in the field of electrical and optical connectivity, Huber+Suhner decided to divest its last non-strategic activity, the fiber composites business in Fehraltorf.

The division, which is set to generate net sales of approximately CHF 4 million in the current year, is to be transferred by the end of 2015 to Connova AG, a leading provider of customized composite components in Villmergen. The parties to the transaction have agreed not to disclose any information on the purchase price. 

The decision represents a positive, forward-looking solution for all parties involved. The innovative composite fiber products will strengthen Connova's core business. Customers will continue to be served by a Swiss company, and for the company’s staff of around 20 employees, the change is associated with a 12-month job guarantee made by Connova AG.

ZETRA International AG acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the seller.