Deal announcement

goetzpartners advised Aussafer Due S.r.l.

19. March 2024

goetzpartners advised Aussafer Due S.r.l., a portfolio company of 21 Invest, on the acquisition of Hailtec GmbH

goetzpartners advised Aussafer Due S.r.l. (“Aussafer”), a portfolio company of 21 Invest, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Hailtec GmbH (“Hailtec”), a German contract manufacturer of precision sheet metal working.

Under the leadership of 21 Invest, Aussafer has completed its first international acquisition by investing in Hailtec, a leading company in the niche of high precision metalworking, specialized in prototypes of electric motors and in the medical sector. The transaction is a fundamental step in Aussafer's mission of creating the European leader in high-tech steel processing after consolidating its position in the Italian market with the acquisitions of Ramo in 2021 and Laserjet in 2022. The group now counts on a turnover of over € 100 million (of which 30% generated abroad) and nearly 500 employees.

Led by the Citossi family, based in the Northeast of Italy, the group offers a complete range of high-value-added metalworking, ranging from high-precision laser cutting to robotized welding, and is capable of accompanying the customer from co-design to the realization of the finished product, with a business unit focused on electric motor prototyping.

Hailtec, located near Stuttgart and led by young entrepreneur Alexander Renz, will bring a significant added-value to the group thanks to its specialization in various market niches, including electronics, e-mobility, micro-precision mechanics, and med tech. Following the acquisition, Alexander Renz will remain a shareholder of the company and head of the German division of the group.

Alessandro Benetton, Chairman and Founding Managing Partner of 21 Invest, comments: "I am very satisfied with this new acquisition for Aussafer. Our mission is to create a leader in high-tech steel processing not only in Italy but in Europe, and the acquisition of a German treasure in the sector brings us a further step in this direction. We continue to be committed to supporting the growth of a group that will stand out for excellent skills, reputation, and its ability to assert itself on the international scene".

Giacomo Citossi, CEO of Aussafer, comments: "The addition of Hailtec to our group is a fundamental step to transform a national champion into a leading European group. The technological synergy with Hailtec once again raises the bar in the market for high-precision processing and in the sector of electric motor prototyping. I am happy to have found strong harmony with a young German entrepreneur like Alex. Both of us look to the future with the ambition to become an international leader".

goetzpartners acted as sole and exclusive M&A buy-side advisor to Aussafer and has successfully managed the acquisition process, from unlocking this proprietary transaction to Signing and Closing. The transaction was executed in collaboration between goetzpartners’ Munich and Milan offices, which demonstrates our strong cross-border execution capabilities in connecting German and Italian companies.

About Aussafer Due S.r.l
Aussafer Due S.r.l. is the largest value-added provider of high-tech sheet metal working services in Italy offering a complete range of services, ranging from high-precision laser cutting to robotized welding, with a business unit focused on electric motor prototyping.

About 21 Invest
21 Invest, founded and led by Alessandro Benetton, is one of the leading European investment groups with headquarters in Italy and direct presence in France and Poland. The firm can leverage on its experience and reputation to scout international investment opportunities and support portfolio companies' growth. Currently, 21 Invest has 22 portfolio companies for a total of € 1.0 billion AUM.

About Hailtec GmbH
Hailtec GmbH is a contract manufacturer of high precision sheet metal working services. The company offers laser cutting, ultra-short pulse laser processing, micro waterjet cutting, precision forming and CNC machining and has a focus on niche markets such as prototypes for electric motors, electronics, e-mobility and medical.

Transaction team: 

Matthias Stoetter
Director
Email

Filippo Cerrone
Partner

Francesco De Marco
Associate Consultant