Halder exits majority investment in ACTech

Frankfurt, March 26, 2012. Halder, the Frankfurt-based investor in buy-outs of German SMEs, has signed a definitive agreement to sell its majority shareholding in ACTech Holding GmbH, Freiberg/Saxonia, to PREMIUM Equity Partners and Cornerstone Capital. The transaction is subject to approval of anti-trust authorities.

Halder acquired ACTech in 2007 from a group of investors backing the company since its inception in 1995. Management held 20% of the firm’s capital. ACTech is the leading service provider for prototype metal castings – parts and components used in R&D projects of e.g. the automotive industry. In recent years, the company has broadened its market presence from Western Europe and the US to India.

In producing component prototypes, ACTech uses a high-tech process involving a laser system to build moulds from epoxy-covered sand particles. This technology saves up to 80% of the time taken by traditional form building methods. Backed by Halder, the company has strengthened machining and finishing capabilities by investing more than € 10 million in CNC equipment since 2009. With a deepened supply chain involving innovative form building, an in-house foundry and broadened mechanical finishing, ACTech offers a comprehensive service targeted to accelerate industrial R&D: Its rapid prototyping approach provides clients fast with ready-to-mount and ready-to-test components made from materials used in subsequent mass production as a single piece or in small batches.

Since the last recession ended, the automotive industry has restarted R&D activities related to turbo charging as well as hybrid and electric drives. This has resulted in a strong business recovery for ACTech: Order intake for 2011 was 20% higher than planned and the company has achieved sales revenues of € 33 (22.5) million. Staff has increased to 373 from 313 in 2010.

PREMIUM, Cornerstone and ACTech’s management which retains a 20% share will continue the firm’s growth strategy supported by fresh capital. ACTech CEO Dr Florian Wendt says: “We are delighted to continue the successful development of our company and to tap into additional market opportunities in Germany and abroad with our new investors.”

Halder is part of GIMV, a listed European private equity and venture capital group. GIMV focuses on buyouts, growth capital, venture capital and infrastructure investments. Halder has been active in Germany since 1991, focusing on MBOs in the SME sector and completing 32 investments to date. More information on www.gimv.com.

PREMIUM Equity Partners is a recently established investment platform targeting German SMEs. Preferred industries include mechanical engineering, automotive suppliers, health care, IT and wholesale and retail trade. A broad network provides excellent access to companies from these industries. More information on www.premium-equity.com.

CornerstoneCapital is a leading private equity investor located in Frankfurt that has aligned its investments towards small and mid-sized companies looking for growth capital or planning a management buy-out. The investment team typically invests in technology-related companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Since its foundation in 2001, CornerstoneCapital has invested in more than twenty companies of which more than fifteen have successfully been exited. More information on www.cornerstone-capital.de.