Deutsche Private Equity takes over Interschalt maritime systems assisted by Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek

A team led by Dr. Peter Christian Schmidt, Partner at the commercial law firm Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek's Hamburg office, provided comprehensive legal advice to funds advised by Deutsche Private Equity GmbH (DPE) on the investment in Interschalt maritime systems AG. Retroactively as of December 31, 2014, DPE will take over a majority stake in the provider of maritime software and services for navigation and communication equipment of ships and manufacturer of the Voyage data recorder. The transaction is subject to the approval by the competent antitrust authorities.

DPE's entry is associated with a capital increase at Interschalt. The proceeds will serve to further internationalize the business activities in the fields of software solutions and services. Shipping company Peter Döhle and Gärtner Consulting GmbH will remain shareholders in the company.

DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH, established in 2007, is a German holding company investing in medium-sized enterprises in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Since its inception, DPE issued two funds and manages total assets in excess of EUR 600 million. The company is participating in 36 enterprises, which increased their annual sales by 16 percent on average.

Interschalt maritime systems AG was founded in 1954 and specializes in maritime software and services for shipping. The staff of 250 generated sales of over EUR 40 million in 2014. In addition to its headquarters at Schenefeld near Hamburg, the company has offices in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Counsel to Deutsche Private Equity
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Peter Christian Schmidt (Lead),
Dr. Julius Wedemeyer,
Dr. Ferenc Krohn,
Christoph Prochnau, LL.B. (all Corporate/M&A),
Dr. Andreas Walle,
Dr. Eva Schreiber, LL.B. (both Employment Law),
Dr. Søren Pietzcker, LL.M. (IP/IT), all Hamburg