Clearwater International advises EOS Partners on the sale of Variotech to Gimv
Clearwater International has advised EOS Partners (EOS) on the sale of a majority stake in Variotech Holding GmbH (Variotech), Germany’s leading manufacturer of innovative workpiece carriers, to Gimv NV (Gimv).
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Nordhorn, Lower Saxony, Variotech is Germany’s leading manufacturer of innovative workpiece carriers used in fully automated manufacturing processes for the transport and handling of components of the most varied shapes and sizes. The customised products are reusable and extremely durable workpiece carriers that are almost exclusively made from recycled materials by thermoforming. Characterised by a high level of innovation, agility, and vertical integration, Variotech works closely with customers to achieve an optimal interlock between workpiece, carrier, and robotics. The company supplies customers from a wide range of industries, from automotive to electronics, semiconductor technology, medical technology, household technology and consumer goods.
Variotech’s products are an important component in the automation of production and enable the increased use of robotics. Through the predominant use of recycled materials and the durability of its products, the company also supports environmentally conscious manufacturing, two key trends in product development.
Headquartered in Munich, EOS is a long-term oriented private equity firm investing in medium-sized companies in the DACH region with the ambition to establish best practices by taking a multidisciplinary approach that strengthens its portfolio companies to the benefit of all stakeholders and last well beyond the investment period.
Gimv is a listed European investment company with over 40 years of experience in private equity. The company identifies innovative, leading companies with high growth potential. Each of their four investment platforms; Consumer, Health & Care, Smart Industries and Sustainable Cities is managed by a dedicated and competent team based in Gimv’s home markets, Benelux, France and DACH, and are supported by an extensive international network of experts.
Together with Gimv, Variotech will further promote the business’s growth and global expansion making targeted use of opportunities at a national and international level.
„We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to support Variotech in its development over the past few years. Today, more than ever, Variotech has all the resources it needs to continue its growth, supported by an experienced management team. The Clearwater International team has contributed with its high professionalism and understanding of how to service the management and shareholders with a deep sector insight, that has given everyone involved a great sense of comfort and trust.“ – Peter Winkler, Partner, EOS
„With our range of top-quality workpiece carriers, we are in a brilliant position in a flourishing market environment with high earnings potential. We have grown strongly in the past and with the new location in Indianapolis we have laid the foundation for a successful expansion of the business in North America. We are firmly convinced that with Gimv we have made a very good choice for a successful future. Now, with a new strong partner on our side, we want to take the next steps together.“ – Benedikt Fleig, Managing Director, Variotech
„Gimv prevailed in a multi-stage process, and we see a perfect match for Variotech with high enthusiasm for the company’s products and services and the ambition to significantly develop the company further. With the support from Gimv, Benedikt Fleig and the team will continue to exploit Variotech’s growth potential in a highly attractive market segment.“ – Axel Oltmann and Markus Otto, Managing Partners, Clearwater International