Equistone Partners Europe acquires automotive parts supplier Winkemann

On behalf of its investors, Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”) has acquired a majority stake in German manufacturer E. Winkemann GmbH & Co. KG (“the Company” or “Winkemann”), together with its management team for an undisclosed sum. Following the management buyout, Bernd Sent and Jürgen Westphal will remain with the Company and will have joint responsibility for the management of operations at Winkemann. The aim of the transaction is to support the future growth of the Company and to expand its market position as a leading precision punched parts supplier.

 

• Equistone Partners Europe acquires majority stake in leading manufacturer of high-performance precision punched parts for automotive and electrical industries
• Management buyout will support future growth and expand market position

E. Winkemann GmbH & Co. KG is based in Plettenberg (Märkischer Kreis district in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia) and was founded in 1938. The medium sized Company has over 300 employees and is a leading manufacturer of precision punched metal parts which it supplies primarily to customers in the automotive and electrical industries. Clients include Audi, BMW, Daimler, Robert Bosch GmbH and the VW Group. Winkemann offers its customers a comprehensive range of services from product development through to mass production, drawing on many years of experience and high-quality technical knowledge.  The high skill level of its employees and a low staff turnover benefit the Company’s consistent ability to meet customers' exacting precision and quality standards.

"After more than six years as managing director of E. Winkemann GmbH & Co. KG, I am absolutely delighted to be working with Equistone in this management buyout to secure the further growth prospects of the company. Together with Jürgen Westphal, who has been promoted from Commercial Manager to Managing Director, I will now assume corporate responsibility as well as operational responsibility," commented Bernd Sent, explaining the managerial structure.

"With Equistone, we made a careful decision to partner with an investor that is not only noted for its special expertise in the manufactured and automotive parts supply industry, but is also renowned for systematically expanding medium-sized companies with a view to the long term" adds Jürgen Westphal, newly-appointed Managing Director, in outlining the Company's future prospects.

<"Equistone’s investment in E. Winkemann GmbH & Co. KG underscores our particular expertise in working with manufacturing and automotive businesses.  We are acquiring a financially sound company, particularly thanks to its proven expertise in production and product development. Together with the management team which has been successful over many years, we will continue to pursue a growth strategy for Winkemann and expand its position in the market," says Dirk Schekerka, Managing Director of Equistone Partners Germany, in explaining Equistone’s investment strategy. 

Equistone Directors responsible for the acquisition are Dirk Schekerka and Stefan Maser.