Jacob Elektronik GmbH

Reference project in the IT | E-commerce sector

Type
MBO I Business succession
Revenue
EUR > 350 million
Industry
IT I E-commerce

Baseline

With a workforce of approximately 400 employees, JACOB Elektronik GmbH is a leading IT solutions partner enjoying high growth. JACOB has been able to build up a broad customer base by offering bespoke solutions and wide-ranging business services, enabling it to realize sustained growth in revenue and earnings. In the course of realizing a long-term solution for the company’s succession, the long-standing management team intends to acquire the shares in the company from its founding family.

Challenge

Numerous issues arose in the course of designing tax structures and drawing up the contracts, particularly with regard to financing the purchase of the shares. In addition to assisting the buyers with the M&A process, structuring and realizing the necessary financing for the acquisition was a key element. This involved drawing up a tailored financing structure and approaching potential lenders and equity investors before coordinating them during the respective loan approval processes and drafting of the legal framework.

Solution

Taking various financing modules into account, a long-term financing package was arranged with a syndicate of banks led by Sparkasse Karlsruhe to fund the acquisition and provide working capital. The debt-financed MBO solution that was found is a win-win situation for all involved and shows that internal succession solutions are conceivable with the use of professional partners.

We are elated that we have been able to acquire the shares held by the Jacob family in the course of the succession and would like to thank the family for the many years of trusting and cooperative partnership. We are very happy and grateful that the team from Wintergerst provided a full suite of consulting services, supporting us in an extremely professional and trusting manner throughout the entire transaction and financing process.

Christian Pochat, managing director and shareholder of JACOB Elektronik GmbH