VR Equitypartner portfolio company acquires majority stake in Günther Kältetechnik
With a team led by Partner Dr. Rainer Herschlein, Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek comprehensively advised Kälte Eckert GmbH, a portfolio company of VR Equitypartner, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Günther Kältetechnik GmbH as part of an add-on transaction. The stake was sold by Jörg Günther, sole shareholder and General Manager. He will remain on board even after the transaction has been closed. The company name will also remain unchanged. The takeover is part of the growth strategy. Kälte Eckert aims to use the takeover to drive growth, expand its service network, and recruit qualified employees.
Günther Kältetechnik GmbH is a refrigeration equipment manufacturer based in Plüderhausen (Rems-Murr district). Established in 1965, the company focuses on the restaurant and food industries, offering a full range of services for assembly and installation as well as for service and maintenance of refrigeration systems.
Kälte Eckert GmbH specializes in manufacturing equipment for commercial refrigeration focusing on canteen kitchens, industrial refrigeration, and air conditioning. In addition, the company is a nationwide technology leader in alternative ecological coolants. Its customers include Daimler, UniCredit, and LBBW. Established in 1966, the company is now managed by Michael Eckert and Holger Eckert, the company founder’s sons.
VR Equitypartner is one of the leading private equity financiers in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, supporting medium-sized family businesses in solving complex financing issues. In August 2017, VR Equitypartner was advised by the team led by Herschlein when the company acquired a majority stake in Kälte Eckert GmbH.
Counsel to VR Equitypartner GmbH
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Rainer Herschlein, LL.M. (Lead, Corporate) Stuttgart
Fabian F. Gaffron (Tax) Hamburg
Charlotte Schmitt, LL.M. (Corporate, M&A) Stuttgart
Dr. Antonia Stein (Employment) Stuttgart
