References

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.

Trübbach and Eindhoven, June 3, 2015

VDL Groep, The Netherlands, has acquired from Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL), Tokyo, Japan, the manufacturing unit TEL Mechatronics AG in Trübbach, Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland. With this transaction, which was signed and closed on May 29, 2015, 100% of the shares of TEL Mechatronics AG have been transferred to VDL Groep. The company with its 120 employees will continue its operations within the VDL ETG organization under the new name VDL ETG Switzerland.

Apart from TEL Mechatronics’ attractive value proposition, based on special competencies in ultra-precision machining, cleaning and validating of large workpieces, an important reason for VDL’s acquisition was the good cooperation with St.Gallen Investment Promotion. VDL is convinced that the St.GallenBodenseeArea is Switzerland’s precision manufacturing cluster and offers competitive know-how and workforce ethics as well as logistics advantages in the border triangle of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The Canton of St. Gallen highly welcomes VDL’s investment and remains dedicated to further support VDL’s investment and growth plans.

Simon Bambach, CEO VDL ETG: “The activities of TEL Mechatronics are a good fit with the other activities of VDL in the area of system integration for high tech capital equipment markets. With the acquisition, VDL will further strengthen its position in the market. Furthermore, the location in Switzerland gives advantages in addressing customers in the triangle Germany, Switzerland and Austria more directly.”

Kiyoshi Sato, President TEL Mechatronics: “We are glad that with VDL we found a partner who meets all pre-requisites to lead TEL Mechatronics into a successful future. This change will allow further development of TEL Mechatronics activities resulting in increasing market share, while remaining a strong partner to its customers and the market for development, technology and outsourcing. On behalf of TEL Solar, I would like to thank VDL for the open and trustful negotiations and I wish VDL and its employees all the best.”

The seller, Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL), is an electronics and semiconductor company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is active in the production of electronic components and computer networks, semiconductor, FPD and PV production equipment. With 47 operating companies in 16 countries and more than 10’000 employees, the company reported a consolidated turnover of more than CHF 4,5bn in 2014/15. TEL is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

VDL Groep, based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is an international industrial company focused on the development, production and sales of semi-finished products, buses & coaches and other finished products and the assembly of cars. Since the founding in 1953 the family-owned company has grown to include 86 operating companies, spread over 19 countries with more than 10’000 employees.

ZETRA International AG was the exclusive M&A advisor to TEL in this transaction.

Brügg, le 7 mai 2015

Mérusa qui confectionne des cadrans de montres pour la haute horlogerie depuis 1915 était en sursis concordataire depuis février 2015. Le siège de la société est à Brügg/Bienne (BE). Le sursis concordataire ordonné par le Tribunal Régional Jura bernois – Seeland, devait permettre d'éviter la faillite et de maintenir les emplois.

Une solution a été trouvée par la signature, le 7 mai 2015, d'un accord de reprise des actifs et la continuation de l'activité par BCI Blösch Corporation Inc. dont le siège est à Granges (SO). Cet accord permet de garantir la pérennité d'un employeur important de la région. Le groupe Blösch, une entreprise familiale indépendante, est actif dans le domaine du traitement de surface pour la mécanique, les techniques médicales, l'optique et l'horlogerie. Depuis 1947 et grâce à une activité permanente de recherche et développement, le groupe Blösch est un des leaders de sa branche. Le groupe a la volonté de préserver et développer la production et la marque Mérusa à Brügg.

ZETRA International AG a agi comme conseiller exclusif du vendeur.

Sulgen, 13. Januar 2015

Thomas Amrein übernimmt im Rahmen einer Nachfolgeregelung die Firma Matti Technology AG („Matti“). Mit dem Management Buy-In wird der Fortbestand und die Weiterentwicklung des weltweit erfolgreichen Schweizer Unternehmens im Digitaldruckbereich sichergestellt. Sämtliche Arbeitsplätze bleiben erhalten.

Matti entwickelt und verkauft weltweit integrierte Lösungen für den Digitaldruck im Hochgeschwindigkeitsbereich. Die Drucksysteme des Unternehmens decken die Papierzufuhr, den Papiertransport während des eigentlichen Druckprozesses, sowie nachgelagerte Papierverarbeitungsprozesse ab. Kunden sind vorwiegend grosse namhafte Hersteller von Druckköpfen, welche den Papiertransport im Drucksystem (den sogenannten „paper path“) extern entwickeln bzw. fertigen lassen.

Der Digitaldruck hat verschiedene Vorteile gegenüber konventionellen, statischen Druckverfahren („offset printing“), bei welchen eine standarisierte Druckplatte zum Einsatz kommt. So ermöglicht der Digitaldruck den kostengünstigen Druck von variablen Druckerzeugnissen in hohen Stückzahlen, wie beispielsweise Bankauszüge, Rechnungen oder personalisiertes Marketing. Jedes Digitaldruck System lässt sich exakt auf die Bedürfnisse des Kunden anpassen und arbeitet je nach Konfiguration mit Schwarzweiss- und / oder Farbtechnologie. Aufgrund der vielseitigen Einsatzmöglichkeiten wird dem Digitaldruck grosses Wachstumspotential zugeschrieben. Matti beliefert weltweit die führenden Entwickler von Druckköpfen.

Neben den Digitaldrucksystemen bietet Matti den Kunden ein umfassendes Spektrum an projektspezifischen Engineering-Dienstleistungen, den Bau von Prototypen und Serienprodukten an.

Nachfolger Thomas Amrein ist Elektroingenieur und Betriebswirtschafter. In seiner beruflichen Laufbahn bei nationalen und internationalen KMU’s und Konzernen hat er verschiedene Stationen unter anderem in der Forschung, Entwicklung sowie in kommerziellen Funktionen durchlaufen. Herr Dieter Woschitz, der das Unternehmen 10 Jahre lang erfolgreich geführt hat, steht der Matti Technology AG weiterhin beratend und unterstützend bis zu seiner Pensionierung Ende 2017 zur Seite.

ZETRA International AG hat den Verkäufer bei dieser Transaktion als exklusiver M&A Berater beraten und hat die Matti Technology bereits bei der Gründung eines Joint Venture mit der bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG begleitet. Mit dem Joint Venture erschliesst Matti innovative und wirtschaftliche Lösungen für das variable Drucken von gehefteten Produkten.

Gümligen, Switzerland / Kobe, Japan, January 7th 2015

BV Holding AG (“BV Group”) Board of Directors today announced the sale of Lonstroff Holding AG (“Lonstroff”) to Japanese Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (“SRI”).

Lonstroff is a global leader in the design, development and production of elastomer components according to specific client needs. The company is active in pharmaceutical primary packaging, components for medical devices, and laminates for pharma and industrial appliances.

The strong market position of Lonstroff is determined by cutting edge R&D, strong client relationships and high market entry barriers. Products need to comply with the highest quality and functionality requirements and therefore thorough supplier skills and experience in elastomer design and production are essential. In addition, pharmaceutical primary packaging is going through the same extensive regulatory approval processes as the active substance itself (e.g. FDA approval).

BV Group as a listed Swiss investment company (BVHN:Berne) that supports established companies with succession equity financing and invests in startups with high growth potential acquired the majority of Lonstroff in 2007 in a management buyout. As investor and entrepreneurial partner, BV Group has successfully continued and supported the strategic initiatives together with the management to set the focus of the company away from producing traditional rubber devices towards developing highly profitable pharma and medical appliances.

With the financial support of BV Group, Lonstroff was further able to acquire new production facilities with optimized production processes. The new facilities substantially increase profitability and represent the change in strategy towards “clean rubber”.

SRI (5110:Tokyo) is a listed Japan-based tire manufacturer and is part of the Sumitomo group, one of Japan's largest conglomerates. The Company manufactures and sells tires and tubes for the automotive sector under the brand names DUNLOP, FALKEN, GOOD YEAR and others. SRI also offers rubber products in the sports segment and in the industrial sector such as medical rubber products.

With SRI, Lonstroff has a strong partner to support the potential for further growth. Through the acquisition, SRI will secure production facilities and marketing presences in Europe for their medical and pharmaceutical elastomer parts, and pursue a global marketing strategy with emphasis on Europe.

ZETRA International AG was the exclusive M&A advisor to BV Holding AG in this transaction.

Bruno Wiesli, Former CEO and co-owner Ernst Keller & Co. AG: "ZETRA advised me in selling the GlasKeller AG in the context of my business succession. The international experience as well as the network of ZETRA considerably contributed to the successful closing with Japanese buyer Asahai Glassplant. ZETRA implemented an excellent solution."

Horgen, Schweiz / Anderstorp, Schweden, im August 2014

Die Oetiker-Gruppe, ein führender internationaler Hersteller von Verbindungslösungen, übernahm am 8. August 2014 das gesamte Aktienkapital der Smalland AB, dem Stammhaus der Levi Peterson-Gruppe. Mit dieser Akquisition stärkt Oetiker seine Stellung im Nutzfahrzeugmarkt und festigt seine Position als einer der führenden Lieferanten der Automobilindustrie.

Die Levi Peterson-Gruppe feiert dieses Jahr ihr 100-jähriges Bestehen. Sie entwickelt, produziert und vermarktet Bänder und V-Profilschellen hauptsächlich für den Nutzfahrzeugmarkt. Die Kunden wählen Levi Peterson vor allem wegen ihrer starken Technologiekompetenz. Besonders zu erwähnen ist aber auch die Fähigkeit, schnell kundenspezifische Lösungen zu entwickeln - dies aufgrund einer frühen Einbindung in den Entwicklungsprozess beim Kunden.

Die Levi Peterson-Gruppe hat den Hauptsitz in Anderstorp, Schweden und eine zweite Produktionsstätte in Litauen (Druskininkai) sowie Verkaufsstellen in den USA, Deutschland und Belgien. Die Gruppe beschäftigt über 120 Mitarbeitende.

Das Stammhaus Smalland AB befand sich bislang im Hauptbesitz von Fredrik Idin, der als Mitglied der vierten Generation der Gründerfamilie das Geschäft erfolgreich internationalisiert hat. Er hat schnell gemerkt, dass „es passt“. „Gleich beim ersten Kontakt hatte ich das Gefühl, dass Oetiker der richtige Partner für meine Firma ist. Ich glaube, es ist nun der ideale Zeitpunkt für einen Zusammenschluss unserer Firmen und ich sehe eine grosse Zukunft für die Levi Peterson-Gruppe innerhalb der Oetiker-Gruppe”.

Thomas Meier-Bickel, CEO der Oetiker-Gruppe, ergänzt: “Levi hat ein sehr attraktives Produktportefeuille für den Nutzfahrzeugmarkt. Ihr Sortiment ergänzt unseres und ermöglicht uns, in diesem Markt stärker Fuss zu fassen. Wir sehen ein erhebliches Wachstumspotenzial für Levis Produkte aufgrund der weltweit verstärkten Abgasnormen und sind überzeugt, die Verkäufe mit unserem globalen Vertriebsnetzwerk weiter steigern zu können, speziell in Asien und Amerika”.

“Die Übernahme der Levi Peterson-Gruppe entspricht der Strategie 2015 unserer Gruppe und soll den Ausgangspunkt für weitere Akquisitionen sein“, führt Thomas Meier-Bickel weiter aus.

1942 in Horgen, Schweiz gegründet, bedient die Oetiker-Gruppe Kunden in über 70 Ländern und ist global führend im Geschäft für Klemmen und Verbindungslösungen. Oetiker entwickelt, produziert und verkauft Klemmen, Ringe und Quick Connectors sowie passende Montagelösungen. Oetiker Verbindungslösungen finden sich in Automobil- und Industrieanwendungen. Die sich in Privatbesitz befindende Oetiker-Gruppe umfasst mehr als 1200 Mitarbeitende an über 20 Standorten in Europa, Asien und Amerika. Das Unternehmen erwirtschaftete im Jahr 2013 einen Umsatz von EUR 175 Millionen.

ZETRA International AG hat die Käufer in dieser Transaktion als exklusiver M&A Berater begleitet.