Equistone sells stake in Karl Eugen Fischer tyre machinery maker

tyre-machinery-makerIndependent investment firm Equistone Partners Europe has sold its share in tyre making machinery manufacturer Karl Eugen Fischer as part of a management buyout supported by Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG).

Germany-based Karl Eugen Fischer develops and manufactures chord cutting machines used in the making of tyres. The company is headquartered in Burgkunstadt and has service sites in the US and China.

UK-based Equistone invested in the business in 2013 and it has since grown its workforce from 490 to around 550 staff. Karl Eugen Fischer generated a revenue of EUR83 million last year.

Equistone partner Marc Arens said: “Since Equistone’s investment in 2013, the functionality of the machinery has improved and there has been a steady increase in its level of automation.

“The company has also successfully extended its servicing business and broadened its customer base with internationally renowned companies,” he added.

DBAG Fund VII has bought the business from Equistone with management also taking a stake. The investment marks the fourth MBO backed by DBAG Fund VII, which closed at EUR1 billion in 2016.

Commenting on the transaction, DBAG management board member Rolf Scheffels said: “With our experience and our focus on investments in mid-market companies, we are the company’s ideal partner. Given the investment plans of tyre manufacturers and market trends, we believe that Karl Eugen Fischer offers further potential.”