maconda supports Deutsche Invest in the acquisition of a majority stake in Wirtz Werkzeugbau
maconda News December 2023
Deutsche Invest, through its Special Situations arm DI Mittelstand, has acquired 100% of Wirtz Werkzeugbau, a leading provider of fully automated special machines. maconda, the consulting boutique specializing in niche markets across numerous industries, supported DI Mittelstand with a focused Commercial Due Diligence (CDD), analyzing Wirtz’s competitive positioning and market prospects.
Wirtz Werkzeugbau specializes in machines and tools for stretch bending – highly specialized solutions for manufacturing metal parts with demanding geometries. These include railings and trim strips for vehicles, which are unique for each model series. The customers for Wirtz’s tools and machines are primarily global automotive industry suppliers who directly supply vehicle manufacturers. In addition, there are machines for surface finishing, mainly of metal. Based on its high solution competence, which also includes the automation of complex manufacturing processes, Wirtz has successfully convinced initial customers outside the automotive industry. More are expected to follow.
maconda comprehensively analyzed Wirtz’s product portfolio and its applications. In particular, Wirtz’s outstanding positioning in the competitive environment was identified, based on unique solution and development expertise. Combined with high quality and reliability, this leads to a high return on investment for their very loyal customers on their machine investments. The potentials for further diversification were also examined and evaluated by maconda as part of the CDD.
As always, the maconda consultants, experienced in niche markets, used a very wide range of sources that were compared, weighted, and combined for evaluation – this again demonstrated the advantage of maconda’s highly analytical approach, as “large” studies cannot reliably map specialized markets. Therefore, the relevant trade magazines and blogs, information from associations such as VDMA, as well as annual reports and various other information on customers, competitors, and suppliers were primarily reviewed. To cross-check and, above all, to obtain current knowledge, a double-digit number of interviews were conducted with market participants and other experts.
About Wirtz Werkzeugbau
The company was founded in 1979 by master toolmaker Theo Wirtz. The family is now in its third generation of operation. After around 40 years in toolmaking, mechanical engineering, and automation, Wirtz has built up extensive experience, particularly as a machine specialist for the automotive supply industry, but increasingly also for industries requiring high-precision, high-quality metal surfaces. Partial and full automation, linking complex processes, are the company’s special expertise. From its headquarters in Krefeld, Wirtz and its more than 50 employees serve customers throughout Europe, North America, and other regions.
About Deutsche Invest
Deutsche Invest is an entrepreneurial, privately owned asset management platform with over €4 billion in assets under management. DI Mittelstand is Deutsche Invest’s special situations strategy and specifically invests in mid-sized companies that show substantial potential for improving revenue and earnings. Its portfolio companies are primarily located in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and surrounding European countries. Typically, the team becomes active in corporate carve-outs, succession solutions, restructurings, MBOs, and MBIs. DI Mittelstand distinguishes itself as an active investor with its own operational team on-site in its portfolio companies, which are supported not only with capital but also with operational and strategic know-how.
maconda further expands its expertise in the manufacturing industry, mechanical engineering, and automation technology
In recent years, the maconda team has significantly expanded its expertise in mechanical and plant engineering as well as automation technology, including personnel, and has successfully completed various projects. These include several Commercial Reviews and Commercial Due Diligences, strategy engagements, and projects to improve operational performance. The engagements covered a wide range of industries, often niche markets, but also “large” markets. These include, for example, artisanal woodworking, specialized packaging machines, or other applications within the automotive supply industry, as well as resellers of machine components and electronic parts. Since mid-2023, Matthias Mennel Klingspor has been supporting maconda as a partner, particularly for the manufacturing industry and various B2B services.
Intensive Industry Experience: CNC machining | Woodworking | Extrusion machines | Injection molding applications | Plastics | Surface coating systems | Warehouse automation | Hydraulic systems | Climate control technology | Sensor technology | Packaging machines | Forming tools | High-performance tools