Equistone portfolio company KWC completes focus on core business through sale of OEM division Nokite EcoSmart Water Heating Systems to Franke Group

KWC Group (“KWC”), a premium manufacturer and systems provider for sanitary room equipment, fittings and water management systems, is selling its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) division to the Swiss Franke Group. The divestment of Nokite EcoSmart Water Heating Systems (Guangdong) Co. ("Nokite") represents the final step in KWC Group consolidating its strategic focus on its core area of professional sanitary room equipment aimed specifically at (semi-)public facilities and businesses. With the support of the Equistone funds as its majority shareholder, KWC intends to further exploit the significant market potential in this area and fully concentrate on expanding the business.

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe acquired a majority stake in KWC Group in April 2021. As part of its new strategic focus, in January 2024 KWC successfully sold its medical division to the Alumbra Group. In summer 2024, KWC’s home division, which produces high-quality bathroom and kitchen fittings for the private sector, was sold to the Italian sanitary specialist Paini.

With around 150 employees, Nokite is a leading manufacturer of high-quality private-label kitchen fittings, delivering from China to clients worldwide, and acts as a high-class OEM supplier. Through the successful sale to Franke Group, Nokite will now be integrated into the business division of a leading international supplier of kitchen equipment, appliances and accessories, which is aimed primarily at private end-customers. In the future, KWC will focus on its professional business, serving (semi-)public institutions such as airports, shopping centres, schools, sports and leisure facilities, as well as hospitals and security facilities. The company operates in multiple locations, including Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Austria, Finland and the Middle East and currently employs around 400 people.

Marten van der Mei, CEO of the KWC Group, and Viktor Bernhardt, CFO, underline the strategic importance of this step: "The sale of the independent OEM division enables us to concentrate our resources and expertise entirely on the successful professional business. This area offers enormous market potential and with innovative solutions and the highest quality, we want to further expand our position as a leading provider for (semi-)public institutions.”

David Zahnd, Partner at Equistone, emphasises: " With the sale of Nokite, KWC Group has completed its strategic realignment and is now able to focus entirely on driving the profitable growth of its professional sanitary room equipment business.”

Stefan Maser, David Zahnd and Roman E. Hegglin were involved in an advisory capacity on the part of Equistone. Equistone was advised on the transaction by DC Advisory (M&A) and Bär & Karrer (Legal & Tax).

The financial details of the transaction are undisclosed.