DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT | OX8 CORPORATE FINANCE EXCLUSIVELY ADVISES :EM ENGINEERING METHODS AG ON THE MAJORITY SALE TO PATRIMONIUM PRIVATE EQUITY AND WILLE FINANCE
Frankfurt/ Darmstadt/ Zurich, 8 May 2024
ox8 Corporate Finance has acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholders of :em engineering methods AG (“:em AG”) on the sale of a majority stake in the company to Patrimonium Private Equity and Wille Finance.
Consulting on the digital transformation of engineering and manufacturing companies in the area of product lifecycle management and the introduction of “digital twins” is an attractive growth market. True to the vision “We deliver the digital future for engineering”, :em AG supports the implementation of digital transformation and thus, among other things, increases efficiency, productivity, agility and shortens time to market.
With a team of more than 100 experts and a focus on the DACH region, :em AG covers the entire product lifecycle and the underlying enterprise architecture of blue chip and medium-sized companies with a comprehensive portfolio of consulting services and IT applications, including the self-developed, AI-supported SaaS solution ReqMan® in the area of requirements management. :em AG has a strong presence in the industry and automation, mobility and transportation, high tech and information technology, aerospace and defense technology, medical technology and life sciences sectors.
The aim of the investment is to implement :em AG’s further organic and inorganic growth strategy by further developing its industry coverage, expanding its service and technology portfolio, geographic expansion and scaling its own software solution ReqMan®.
The founders and previous sole owners of :em engineering methods AG, Dr. Erik Claassen, Christian Donges, Dr. Sven Kleiner and Dr. Marcus Krastel, will remain on board as members of the Management Board and significant co-owners and will implement the jointly defined strategy in the long term.
“In line with our vision and encouraged by approaches from strategic buyers, we have looked closely at finding the ideal partner for our next growth step. The partnership-based, entrepreneurial and sustainable approach and the many years of experience of Patrimonium and Wille Finance in the successful further development of owner-managed companies convinced us right from the first meeting – we are highly motivated to continue developing :em AG in the driver seat together with our partners,” says Dr. Sven Kleiner, explaining the choice of partners.
Dr. Marcus Krastel adds:
“We are more than happy with the absolutely professional support provided by ox8 throughout the entire M&A process. Over the past few months, the team has been at our side at all times and has led the competitive process to a very successful outcome. It was extremely important for us to have a partner who could provide a holistic consulting approach, which we as :em AG pursue equally towards our clients. This applies to the highly professional preparation phase and the entire process management before, during and after the due diligence. ox8’s many years of experience in the context of numerous investor discussions and negotiations were particularly valuable and we were able to rely on them at all times.”
About :em engineering methods AG (www.em.ag)
:em engineering methods AG was founded in 2002 with headquarters in Darmstadt and has a second location in Böblingen. With a comprehensive portfolio of consulting services, software development and its own SaaS solution (ReqMan®), :em AG supports the digital transformation of blue chip and SME customers in DACH region along the entire product lifecycle.
:em designs digitization strategies and roadmaps, helps to implement model-based, digital development and advises on the selection, introduction and implementation of new IT systems. The consulting focus is on product lifecycle management and digital twin, application lifecycle management, model-based systems engineering and cooperation and requirements management.
About Patrimonium Private Equity (www.patrimonium.ch)
Patrimonium Private Equity Advisors AG advises Patrimonium Private Equity Fund SCSp (“Patrimonium Private Equity”) and is part of Patrimonium Asset Management AG, a Swiss private markets investment manager investing in the asset classes real estate, private debt, private equity and infrastructure. The company is characterized by a direct and responsible investment approach and operates primarily in Switzerland, Germany and neighbouring countries. Patrimonium Asset Management AG manages assets totaling CHF 4.5 billion (as at 12.2023). With offices in Lausanne, Zurich and Zug, the company employs over 70 people.
About Wille Finance (www.willefinance.com)
Wille Finance was founded in 2007 and is a long-term oriented Swiss family office that focuses on direct investments in the areas of private equity, venture capital and real estate. Wille Finance has more than 25 employees and has invested in over 40 companies to date. In private equity, the focus is geographically on Switzerland, Germany and Austria and thematically on buy & build strategies in the technology/ SaaS, business services and life sciences sectors.
About ox8 Corporate Finance (www.ox8-cf.com)
ox8 Corporate Finance is an independent corporate finance boutique founded in 2018 by experienced M&A specialists. Corporate finance advisory services are offered with a focus on M&A as well as Growth Capital in the Software/ Saas, Digital Commerce, Technology/ IT services and Healthcare sectors. The team has an excellent international network to financial investors and strategic buyers. ox8 Corporate Finance has offices in Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg.