Weber automotive sets course for the future: Ardian acquires a majority stake in Weber Automotive and invests in future growth together with the founding family

Ardian, the independent private investment company, is acquiring a majority interest in Weber Automotive, one of the global leaders in the vehicle supply industry in the area of machining of complex drivetrain components. In the course of the transaction, a capital increase will be conducted which will by subscribed by Ardian and the founding family, providing the company with significant funds for further growth. The founding Weber family will continue to hold a significant interest in the company and will actively support the future development together with the existing management. The acquisition of Weber Automotive is already the third investment from the Ardian LBO Fund VI, which has commitments of €4.5 billion. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction. The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the responsible antitrust authorities. 

Founded in 1969 and based in Markdorf near Lake Constance, Germany, the company focuses on drivetrain components for cars, heavy trucks and powersport vehicles for premium manufacturers. It has more than 1,300 employees at six locations in Germany, the USA and Hungary with a focus on the machining of engine and transmission components and the assembly of complete systems. These mainly include engine blocks and cylinder heads as well as various transmission housings and casings. Since 2011, the company has more than quadrupled sales from €74 million to €306 million in 2015. Taking into account the revenues of SaarOTEC (acquired in late 2015) - on a pro-forma basis - sales for fiscal year 2015 amounted to €367 million. For 2016, the company expects to continue its growth path. 

Basis for the strong, profitable growth has been the development of the company from a components supplier to a systems provider for the vehicle supply industry. While Weber Automotive formerly supplied individual components to its customer groups, today the company primarily processes engine and transmission components and assembles complete systems. In addition, Weber Automotive supports its customers if needed with extensive experience and expertise in areas such as development and design of individual components and systems. Today, Weber Automotive stands for innovation, systems competence and a strict zero-failure-quality. Its corporate strategy centers around long-term growth with the world’s largest and most important car as well as heavy truck manufacturers and suppliers. 

With the support of Ardian as an international and financially strong partner, management plans to expand the leading position of Weber Automotive in the global vehicle supplier industry. Weber Automotive plans to increase investments in innovative development, machining and manufacturing technology, expansion of production capacity in Germany, in the USA and in Asia and strengthen the company’s international presence both organically as well as through acquisitions. Beyond stimulating a new phase of growth, the transaction is characterized by continuity: next to their shares in Weber Automotive, the founding Weber family continues to exclusively own the operational properties and has concluded long-term lease agreements to the company. The family will also be represented in the advisory board of the company. Furthermore, the longstanding management team led by CEO Daniel Weber, COO Christian Weber and CFO Sven Hattwig will remain on board and continue to lead the company. 

Daniel Weber, CEO of Weber Automotive, said: “For us it was key to find a responsible investment partner with a long-term perspective and a comprehensive automotive track record who will support us to realize the growth opportunities that are presented to us in our target markets. Ardian has impressed us with its international setup, its excellent network and investment approach. With Ardian on our side and based on a significantly strengthened capital basis, we will deploy additional financial resources in order to drive the long-term growth of the company, further enhance our international footprint and continue to be a reliable partner for our customers, employees and suppliers. As a family, we continue to be strongly committed and we are convinced that the company will have a successful future.” 

Wolfgang Pietzsch, Managing Director Mid Cap Buyout at Ardian, added: “Weber Automotive is an excellently positioned company in a highly dynamic market segment with a strong and experienced management team that has successfully transformed the company from a component supplier to a systems provider. The company’s leading edge processing technology is used in the most exclusive models of renowned car manufacturers. The new strategic set-up offers the company significant national and international growth prospects in Europe, USA and Asia, which we want to realize together with the management and with the support of our international platform. We are delighted that the Weber family has chosen us as their partner for this endeavor.”