Equistone acquires prefabricated home manufacturers Bien-Zenker and Hanse Haus

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”) have agreed to acquire two market-leading prefabricated home manufacturers Bien-Zenker and Hanse Haus from Munich-based industrial holding company ADCURAM Group AG (“ADCURAM”). Bien-Zenker and Hanse Haus are both based in Germany. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed; the transaction is subject to competition and regulatory approval.

Bien-Zenker and Hanse Haus design, manufacture, sell and build prefabricated homes in Germany, Switzerland and the UK. The companies’ three renowned brands - Bien-Zenker, Living Haus and Hanse Haus - are united by their commitment to delivering the highest quality service, offering customers bespoke home-building programmes ranging from ‘entry level’ products, which include self-build options, to more luxurious residences. Together they are projected to generate revenues in excess of EUR 300 million in 2017. 

Headquartered in Schlüchtern, a town in the state of Hesse, East Germany, Bien-Zenker is one of Germany's best known prefabricated home brands with a history stretching back over 100 years. Today the company has grown an extensive sales network throughout Germany, having established a foothold in the mid-range price segment of the market. Placing a pivotal emphasis on sustainability, Bien-Zenker is a pioneering home builder within the prefabricated property space.

Bien-Zenker recently expanded its offering by launching the independent brand Living Haus, providing prefabricated homes to quality-conscious and price-sensitive customers. Through Living Haus, new homeowners receive a self-build interior kit, offering complete customisation and freedom in how they design and arrange their home’s interior. Living Haus has become a leading provider in the field of sustainable prefabricated homes, offering quality and durability.

Hanse Haus is based in the town of Oberleichtersbach in Bavaria, Germany. Founded as a carpentry business in 1929, the company has evolved to become a one-stop provider of high-quality, turnkey prefabricated homes. Hanse Haus serves the mid-range and premium price segments of the market, offering bespoke solutions planned individually by experienced architects for a range of households. Hanse Haus’ specialist pre-manufacturing technology helps construct unique homes to suit the homeowner’s requirements.

“The prefabricated homes industry is developing quickly. With our individual brands, we offer a broad portfolio of products to different customer segments and cover the entire spectrum of the prefabricated home market. We've been able to grow significantly in recent years with the support of our previous owners and we are delighted to have found in Equistone a new, reliable partner to support further growth,” explains Marco Hammer, Managing Director of Hanse Haus.

“The highly-fragmented prefabricated home market offers great growth potential. The companies Bien-Zenker and Hanse Haus and the Living Haus brand are all players with very strong market positions. We want to build on this, above all by driving organic growth across the companies,” adds Stefan Maser, Partner at Equistone.

“Equistone is the ideal buyer and we are delighted to have found them at this stage of the companies’ development. Equistone’s investment will ensure the continued support of their growth strategy,” says Armin Bire, Member of the Executive Board at ADCURAM.

Stefan Maser, David Zahnd and Tanja Berg led the investment from Equistone. Equistone was advised by Ernst & Young (financial and tax), Munich Strategy Group (commercial), Norton Rose Fulbright (legal), GCA Altium (debt advisory), Latham & Watkins (financing, legal), Tauw (environment), MRH Trowe (insurance). The transaction is expected to be complete in January 2018.