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DI Mittelstand makes targeted and highly selective investments in quality companies that are underperforming and where we can sustainably increase value with our active investment approach. We think long-term and combine extensive M&A and financing know-how with our proven operative capabilities tested over many years.

In December 2017, DI Mittelstand acquired all shares in vosla GmbH (Plauen). With 220 employees, vosla develops and produces innovative lighting solutions "Made in Germany" for renowned customers worldwide in the automotive, transportation, railroad and aviation industries, as well as medical technology.

In January 2022, DI Mittelstand acquired Aspel Group N.V. ("Aspel") from a Belgian family investor. Aspel is one of the leading suppliers of complex injection molded parts, especially for the automotive industry. Aspel's long-standing customer base includes well-known companies, especially from the Tier 1 automotive supplier sector (e.g. Bosch, Valeo and Hella).

In September 2018, DI Mittelstand acquired all assets of EMDE Bohrtechnik Group. EMDE is a supplier of drilling tools for special construction. In addition, the Group produces high-quality machines and components for well-known customers worldwide in the chemical, energy and waste recycling industries as well as in mechanical and plant engineering. The company employs ~200 people in Nentershausen and Staßfurt.

Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Straubing, Bavaria, Loibl is one of the leading German suppliers of customized material handling solutions for bulk materials of all kinds, with expertise in the energy sector. In June 2019 Deutsche Invest’s special situations team at DI Mittelstand acquired 100% of Loibl in a carve-out from US-based Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. In May 2023 Loibl Holding GmbH was sold in a successful exit to Martin GmbH für Umwelt- und Energietechnik.

In January 2023, DI Mittelstand acquired a majority interest in TEAM Industries N.V. ("Team Industries"), headquartered in Belgium. TEAM Industries N.V. is a leading supplier of mechanical systems and manufacturer of functioncritical metal assemblies for various industries. The company employs 750 people across a portfolio of six production facilities in Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania, each having a unique and complementary positioning and offering.

In November 2023, DI Mittelstand acquired all shares of Wirtz Werkzeugbau GmbH. Wirtz is a Germany-based, highly reputable manufacturer of fully automated production solutions, specializing in high-precision applications for the automotive and surface finishing industries. With more than 50 employees the company covers the entire value chain from planning, development, production and assembly of production systems and tools to after-sales support.

In December 2023, DI Mittelstand purchased 100% of Leoni AG’s Wire Products & Solutions Business Group (BG PS), a leading specialist manufacturer of copper-based products and solutions, in a carve-out transaction from Leoni AG. Now under the new brand Aerumtec, the Group offers a unique choice of wires, strands and ropes made from copper and alloys bare and plated, as well as composite materials. Products are customized to individual customer requirements and installed within a wide range of industries, including automotive, aviation and industrial applications. Headquartered in Weißenburg, Germany, and with over 500 employees globally, the company has an international production footprint with five production facilities in Germany, UK and China.

In January 2024 Alutech Holding GmbH & Co. KG, advised by DI Mittelstand, acquired all shares of ae group ag. The ae group is one of the leading German suppliers for aluminium die-cast parts to Tier 1 and other well-known OEMs worldwide. At four production sites in Germany and Poland ae group employs approximately 1.300 employees.

DI Mittelstand is the special situations strategy of Deutsche Invest, an entrepreneurial alternative asset management platform. We are focused on Europe and our investment strategies include Capital Solutions, Special Situations, Technology and, in special cases, Real Estate.

Our team focuses on special situations - in the broadest sense of the word - at medium-sized companies that show substantial potential for revenue and earnings improvement. Our portfolio companies are primarily located in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and surrounding European countries.

Typically, we become active in the context of corporate carve-outs, company successions, restructurings, MBOs and MBIs.

The DI Mittelstand team has access to an outstanding national and international network of experts, consisting of high-ranking decision-makers from business, politics and associations. Our investors include some of Europe's most respected entrepreneurial families and family offices, as well as business leaders.

Our investment criteria

  • Carve-outs of companies or business units of corporate groups that are no longer part of the core business
  • Succession solutions and/or changes in the shareholder structure
  • Need for external expertise to actively manage change
  • Supporting management teams in the acquisition of a company (management buy-outs and management buy-ins)
  • Insolvencies and near-insolvency situations with strategic fit to existing portfolio
  • Potential for operational and strategic improvement for low-profit (EBITDA margin usually <10%), in rare cases loss-making companies
  • Sales volume typically between EUR 40 and 750 m
  • Region Headquarters or significant operations in Europe with a special focus on Germany, Austria or Switzerland and neighbouring countries
  • Focus sectors Broad, without explicit industry focus, but with some focus on companies with industrial manufacturing and B2B service providers
  • Equity contribution per transaction of up to EUR 30 m
  • Investment structure without fixed term and other typical fund restrictions

We distinguish ourselves as an active hands-on investor with our own operations team on site in our portfolio companies and support them not only financially but also with operating and strategic expertise.

At DI Mittelstand, we pursue a situation driven investment approach and do not have a specific industry focus. Frequently, investments in companies with industrial manufacturing as well as B2B service providers fit our investment criteria. We generally hold a majority stake in our portfolio companies, and more rarely and only very selectively minority stakes with strong control rights.

We are highly selective and disciplined in our investment process and in the selection of our portfolio companies. We bring many years of experience and our broad network to every transaction and are always substantially involved with our own capital.

Portfolio

ae group

Gerstungen, Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2024 | Status: Active

Aluminium Engineering | Innovative development & production of die-cast aluminium parts

Aerumtec

Weißenburg, Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2023 | Status: Active

Copper Processing | Tailored, copper-based products and solutions

Aspel

Beringen Belgium

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2022 | Status: Active

Injection Moulding | Global injection molding specialized in manufacturing technical & complex parts

BIS Czech

Horní Jiřetín, Czech Republic

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2020 | Status: Exited

Construction | Construction & Maintenance Services

Emde

Nentershausen, Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2018 | Status: Active

Drilling Technology | Drilling Equipment for exploratory, anchor, geothermal and large-pile drilling

Loibl

Straubing Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2019 | Status: Exited 2023

Conveying Technology | State of the art conveying technologies

Sundwiger Messingwerk

Hemer Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2020 | Status: Active

Copper Processing | Innovative materials for strips and wires made of copper alloys

Team Industries

Roeselare, Belgien

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2023 | Status: Aktiv

Metal Systems & Processing | Mechanical systems and sheet metal components​

Vosla

Plauen Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2017 | Status: Active

Industrial Lighting | UV emitting HID lamp for medical treatment and therapy,

Wirtz

Krefeld, Germany

DI Mittelstand

Invested: 2023 | Status: Active

Production Tools & Solution | Automated production solutions and tooling

The DI Mittelstand team combines over 35 years of experience in various industries and situations. Henrik Munte leads a team of senior M&A experts with responsibility for all buy- and sell-side activities. Matthias Kreye leads the team of operational experts, responsible for the implementation of value creation programs in the portfolio companies.

Contact

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Prinzregentenstraße 56
80538 Munich
Germany

+49 89 954296150