We’re proud to have invested in the following businesses since we founded our company in 2007:
adelphi
adelphi is Europe’s leading independent think-and-do tank for climate, environment and development. As a strategic political consultancy, we are committed to just, transformative change and a liveable and sustainable future. We are over 300 bright minds, working locally and globally on the environment and sustainability and the challenges of political, economic and social transformation. We are agents of the future, part of an international network of strategists, practitioners, pioneers and thinkers. Through transdisciplinary research, evidence-based consultation and dialogue with political and social stakeholders and companies, we shape political agendas, facilitate understanding in the political arena and provide support for decision-makers.
Sill Optics
Sill Optics is a leading manufacturer of precision optics used in various applications including laser material processing, additive manufacturing, medical technology and select chip manufacturing processes. From customer specific developments to prototyping and serial production, Sill Optics acts as a reliable partner for its blue chip customer base. DPE acquired Sill Optics jointly with management in August 2022. For further information on Sill optics please visit https://www.silloptics.de/en/
DARE
Based in Berlin, DARE is the local market leader for deconstruction, demolition, and hazardous waste remediation work as well as disposal of construction waste. The company has one of the largest disposal vehicle and container fleets as well as a disposal facility for hazardous and non-hazardous waste in northern Berlin. DARE provides a wide range of construction and disposal services and can therefore reliably implement demanding and complex projects.
DPE, together with the management team, acquired DARE in December 2021 to support the next growth phase of the company. Please visit https://www.dare-gmbh.de/ for further information.
Green Mobility Holding
As one of the leading German (e)-bike leasing providers, Green Mobility Holding mobilizes large corporations and SMEs with company bicycles. With its two brands Company Bike and Mein Dienstrad, Green Mobility Holding ensures an all-encompassing carefree service by providing corporate customers with an tailored Company Bike portal for the selection of (e-)bikes, as well as a proprietary service network. Green Mobility Holding is headquartered in Munich, and employs around 200 FTEs in more than 10 locations in Germany.
Green Mobility Holding was created by merging Company Bike and Mein Dienstrad to create a German champion in (e-)bike leasing and to support the two companies’ next phase of growth.
For further information please visit: https://www.greenmobility.technology/
Engelmann
Engelmann is the leading European manufacturer of smart heat meters for the sub-metering industry. In recent years, Engelmann has continuously strengthened its market positioning by evolving its comprehensive product portfolio towards becoming the preferred system provider in the market. Driven by extensive R&D activities, Engelmann offers its diversified customer base a high quality “one-stop-shop” offering for residential sub-metering. Engelmann has 170 employees with assembly sites in Wiesloch (Germany, Headquarters) and Suining (China) and has generated revenues north of €45m in FY20/21. Driven by regulatory enforcements and the overall climate goal for decarbonization, the roll-out of smart meters is expected to significantly contribute towards Engelmann’s further growth over the coming years.
DPE acquired Engelmann together with the management team in June 2021.
For further information please visit: www.engelmann.de
Mehler Vario System
Mehler Vario System is Europe’s leading manufacturer of ballistic protection systems. The product portfolio comprises an extensive offering of high-grade ballistic vests, tactical equipment and clothing, along with ballistic protection solutions for vehicles. The company employs around 600 people in five locations in Germany, Slovenia and Serbia and operates internationally in more than 40 countries. Mehler Vario System is planning to expand market leadership and forge ahead with its double-digit growth through ongoing internationalization, new products and strategic acquisitions
B plus L Infra Log GmbH
B plus L is the leading German construction site infrastructure provider with c. 1,000 ongoing construction site facilities and container rental projects across different regions in Germany, mainly with customers from the public sector. The range of services includes complete construction site infrastructure such as power and water supply, heating, lighting and security services, construction logistics as well as container construction and rental services. The firm is expected to benefit from unfulfilled demand in professional construction site provisioning and temporary container solutions.
DEUBIS formerly Massenberg GmbH
Founded in 1906, Massenberg is a traditional, well-established company and the largest independent specialist in Germany. With more than EUR 50 million total output and over 300 highly qualified employees operating at eight locations in the complex renovation of civil engineering structures – focused in particular on concrete repair and corrosion protection, including cathodic corrosion protection.
The business outlook for Massenberg is favourable as more than 50 percent of the civil engineering structures made of concrete and steel from 1960 to 1990 are in need of renovation due to the low concrete cover in those buildings. The buildings include private constructions such as multi-storey car parks, industrial plants and concrete facades as well as public buildings such as bridges, canals and schools. In order to preserve the current fabric, the government will have to significantly increase public spending in the future.
For further information, please visit www.massenberg.de
valantic
valantic is a leading consultancy and provider of software solutions for digital transformation, and ranks among the fastest growing digital solutions, consulting and software companies in the market. The company combines market and leading-edge technological competence in SAP, digitalization and financial services automation. valantic provides comprehensive support for its customers, from strategy formulation right through to implementation, which has allowed valantic to establish and expand long-standing business relationships with numerous mid-sized and blue-chip enterprises. With more than 800 specialist solution consultants and developers, valantic is present across 20 locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg, and the USA.
DPE, together with the management team, acquired valantic in March 2019.
For further information please visit: www.valantic.com/en
VTU
VTU provides planning, engineering and project management services for the build-up, expansion, modification or maintenance of production plants in the pharmaceutical, chemicals, and oil and gas sectors. VTU is headquartered in Grambach, Austria, and operates regional subsidiaries in Germany, Switzerland and Italy as well as a permanent establishment in Romania. With more than 350 highly qualified engineers, VTU is a leading independent engineering service provider in the DACH-region. DPE acquired VTU in 2018. For additional information, please visit https://www.vtu.com/
Air Alliance
Air Alliance is a leading provider of integrated aviation services with focus on air ambulance flights. The Company is official sales representative and service center for aircraft OEMs Pilatus, Diamond and Gulfstream, while also offering maintenance, repair and overhaul services for a wide range of private and business jets. Air Alliance has more than 130 employees across its locations at the Siegerland, Cologne, Vienna and Birmingham airports. DPE acquired Air Alliance in February 2018. Please visit https://air-alliance.de/en/ for further information.
Eraneos Group
Eraneos Group (formerly AWK Group) is an international, independent management and technology consultancy with offices in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Luxembourg and Asia. With c. 800 employees, Eraneos supports the digital transformation of organizations from a wide range of industries from strategy to implementation and is familiar with the technologies of the future. Its services range from the development of digital business models to data analytics, cyber security and IT advisory to the management of complex transformation projects. From its origins in Switzerland, Eraneos has developed into an internationally leading consulting group for digital transformation via the mergers with Talos, Ginkgo and Quint.
Primutec Solutions Group formerly Erdo Holding B.V.
The company was already founded back in 1928 in the Netherlands. In the meantime, Erdo Holding B.V. has developed into the leading specialist in the roof covering and insulation area, as well as for facade engineering and the lightning protection of new and old buildings. Represented at three Dutch and 17 German locations, Erdo Holding B.V. has a workforce of around 500 employees and realizes around 10,000 projects every year.
CENTOGENE
CENTOGENE is the global leader in diagnosis of rare diseases. The Company holds the world’s largest curated database of genotype-phenotype correlations and clinical data on rare inherited diseases collected from patient samples, doctors and clinics in over 110 countries. Based on its in-depth disease knowledge and diagnostic testing activities, CENTOGENE is able to offer high-value patient finding / monitoring and biomarker development services to pharmaceutical companies. The proceeds of the financing will be used to professionalize the Company’s organization and accelerate its growth and expansion plans in the business segments of worldwide genetic testing, pharmaceutical collaborations and big data-solutions. CENTOGENE employs c. 300 people.
DPE invested in CENTOGENE together with co-investors TVM Capital Life Science, CareVentures and CIC Capital in June 2017.
Please visit www.centogene.com for further information.
SERCOO Group
SERCOO Group, headquartered in Lingen, operates in two business segments.
The core segment is a one-stop-shop MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) service provider to the renewable energy and sustainable mobility sectors. As the only fully integrated provider in Germany, the company offers holistic field service maintenance and repair services to operators of biogas plants and CHPs (combined heat and power plant) as well as resource saving stationary engine overhaul services for CHPs, rail power packs and industrial components at its own, fully equipped overhaul facility. The minor business segment operates in the distribution and repowering of turbochargers.
The business group, founded in 2014, has a proven M&A track record and serves as a buy-and-build platform.
OmniaMed Group
OMNIAMED, headquartered in London, UK, is a leading digital medical communications agency. The company manages multiple medically focused digital platforms with proprietary medical content that is used as a key workflow tool for healthcare practitioners. These digital platforms serve as a unique gateway for pharmaceutical companies to deliver content and marketing to OMNIAMED’s user base. With its approximately 60 employees, the company manages 8 digital platforms and offers approximately 40,000 clinically indexed pages.
OMNIAMED was acquired by DPE in 2013 as an offline provider of continuing medical education and has successfully evolved into an online-only medical communications agency. During our ownership, the company has acquired several add-ons such as GP Notebook.
Former investments
CALVIAS GmbH
CALVIAS GmbH with 250 employees is specialised in building services engineering. The company, founded in 1947, operates nationwide and offers services from all areas of technical building services, also acting as a general technical contractor. The Group’s main orders are for hospitals, industry, data centres, administration and public sector projects. The company is active all over Germany and in Luxembourg. Apart from its headquarters in Trier, it also has sites in Koblenz/Urmitz, Cologne and Luxembourg.
More information at: www.calvias.de
FISCHER
With its facilities in Katzenelnbogen and Seelbach, both Germany, and three sites in Liberec, Czech Republic, Fischer Surface Technologies ranks among the leading manufacturers of chrome-plated plastic components for the automotive industry. The company delivers high quality interior or exterior parts, such as dashboard, trims and brand emblems, to the leading automotive suppliers in Europe. Today, the plastic injection molding and electroplating specialist has more than 600 employees.
DPE acquired Fischer Surface Technologies in December 2016 and aims to drive future growth through capacity expansion and internationalisation.
Please visit www.fischer-surface.de for more information.
BE-terna
BE-terna is a leading provider of ERP, BI, CRM, HRM and cloud solutions in the German-speaking area and offers full service in the areas of business software and business process management. BE-terna’s customers include global corporations as well as innovative medium-sized companies that aim to competitively place themselves on the market modern business software solutions. With a team of more than 500 consulting, development and IT experts at 12 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, BE-terna currently serves more than 800 customers – mostly in international projects. With a comprehensive product and service portfolio as well as a wide range of industry-specific know-how, BE-terna offers tailor-made solutions for the focus sectors process industry, manufacturing, retail, fashion, and service as well as for project-oriented companies.
DPE, together with the management team, acquired BE-terna in January 2019
Please find further information on BE-terna at www.be-terna.com
EDS
EDS, headquartered in Passau, Germany, employs c. 1,500 employees across five countries and is the leading provider of print marketing solutions for retailers in CEE with revenues of € 275m in FY2016. With an unmatched footprint in the region and #1 positions in all its core markets, EDS is the partner of choice to support its clients’ consumer marketing efforts through printed leaflets. More than 600 customers benefit from the Company’s unparalleled geographic reach as well as from its integrated local service offering. DPE acquired EDS in November 2017.
Terwa
TERWA Holding B.V., headquartered in Ijsselstein, the Netherlands, was founded in 1995. The company develops, manufactures and distributes (i) towbars and towbar components for the automotive industry and (ii) metal products for specific niche markets in the construction industry, primarily lifting and connecting parts for rebars and pre-cast concrete elements. Its products are sold to Tier-1 suppliers in Europe and are also distributed directly via the aftermarket. TERWA operates a modern production site in Romania and is among the leading manufacturers of low-cost automotive towbars at good quality.
Elatec
Headquartered in Munich, Elatec specialises in the development and global distribution of contactless (RFID, NFC, Bluetooth) as well as contact (SmartCard) reader and writer modules. Elatec’s modules allow for unique authentication of individuals at end devices and offer a wide range of solutions in various applications, e.g. secure printing, access control, production, kiosk and cash register systems. The reader systems developed by Elatec are compatible with virtually all common RFID standards worldwide, thus offering the highest level of flexibility for integration of new ancillary devices into existing RFID-based security environments. As a result, Elatec has become the world-wide leading provider of multi-standard RFID readers for high and low RFID frequency bands. For instance, Elatec’s latest product the TWN4 reader is compatible with over 50 international transponder languages.
DPE acquired Elatec in January 2016.
Pharmazell
Pharmazell, operationally headquartered in Raubling but with a holding based in Luxembourg, is a leading manufacturer of niche active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), mostly off-patent, serving the worldwide pharmaceutical markets. Pharmazell employs approx. 700 people and has production facilities in Germany, Italy, India and Switzerland. Pharmazell is the result of the 2011 combination of Farmabios SpA (Italy) and Pharmazell GmbH (Germany), two specialized API players.
Pharmazell has a unique competitive position, especially in Steroids, Highly Potent Substances, Antineoplastics, 5-ASA and Cysteine derivatives, based on a strong reputation, undisputed know-how and development capabilities, and well established customers’ relationships on a global basis. Pharmazell also offers custom synthesis services to many pharmaceutical and generic companies.
DPE invested in Pharmazell in 2013.
For more information on Zellbios, please visit www.pharmazell.com
First Sensor
First Sensor Group, headquartered in Berlin, develops and manufacturers highly customized, specialised sensor solutions that are used globally across a broad variety of niche applications, e.g. in driver assistance systems, cancer detection, satellite telescopes or 3D area detection in industrial automation. Since 1999, the company is publicly listed. Through a capital increase substantially guaranteed by DPE, in October 2011, First Sensor was enabled to stem the acquisition of same-size Sensortechnics Group, thereby becoming a global leader in its market. DPE invested in First Sensor in October 2011 and as its largest shareholder seeks to support First Sensor’s further profitable growth.
SLM Solutions
SLM Solutions Group AG, headquartered in Luebeck, Germany, is a leading provider of metal based additive manufacturing technology (also commonly referred to “3D printing”). SLM Solutions focuses on the development, assembly and sales of machines and integrated system solutions in the field of selective laser melting, vacuum and metal casting. SLM Solutions currently employs over 80 people in Germany and the USA. The products are used worldwide by customers in particular from the aerospace, energy, healthcare and automotive industries. SLM Solutions stands for technologically advanced, innovative and highly efficient integrated system solutions.
Webtrekk
Webtrekk is a global provider of web analytics solutions, headquartered in Berlin, with offices in China, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the USA. Webtrekk’s solutions allow companies to optimise their digital strategies. The Webtrekk Digital Intelligence Suite is widely recognised for its advanced analytics, testing and website customisation solutions. The Marketing Action Center turns company data into profit with automated and personalised marketing campaigns and recommendations. Alongside its Digital Intelligence Suite, Webtrekk offers a wide range of consulting services designed to address digital analytics needs, from strategy to implementation to training.
In more than 25 countries, CMOs, CIOs and marketing managers in e-commerce, media and publishing, banking, travel and hospitality, telecommunications and entertainment trust Webtrekk’s solutions. Webtrekk customers include Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Red Bull, MTV, Siemens, Die Welt, BNP Paribas, Allianz, BILD.de, ProSiebenSat.1 Digital, Zalando, Esprit, Tchibo, Medion, Douglas, Rebuy, Hotel.de, Tape.tv and Mister Spex, among many others.
Webtrekk’s 100-plus employees are focused on setting benchmarks in the industry and providing the very best digital intelligence solutions to help drive your profit.
DPE invested in Webtrekk in 2014.
For more information on Webtrekk, please visit www.webtrekk.com
Ziegler
Founded more than 150 years ago as manufacturer of Wadding, J.H. Ziegler GmbH headquartered in Achern, Germany has developed into a globally successful manufacturer of technical nonwovens based on an increasing number of raw materials. Due to its know-how and development expertise Ziegler today represents a fast growing, international market leader in its field with subsidiaries in Germany, Hungary and China.
DPE invested in Ziegler in Oktober 2014.
For more information on Ziegler please visit www.ziegler.eu
expertum Group
expertum Group is a temporary staffing firm focussing on the provision of skilled and highly skilled professionals. Center of administration in Hamburg, it was founded by DPE together with an experienced management team. The Company offers temporary staffing and recruiting services, as well as other HR consulting services for placements in industrial, technical and commercial fields. Through a nationwide branch network expertum Group provides these services to the following sectors and activities: energy and electricity generation, industry, engineering, IT, aviation, healthcare as well as finance and administration.
DPE completed this investment in 2010 and will support the Company’s organic and acquisitive growth strategy. expertum Group strengthened its operating business through the successfully acquisition of Oldenburg based expertum GmbH (formerly Sonesto GmbH). expertum provides qualified temporary personnel focussing on skilled workers, technicians, commercial personnel as well as engineers through a branch network in Northern Germany
Elevion Group
The Elevion Group is a provider of building and industrial installations, whose origins date back to 1863. The Group’s range of technical services include all areas of electrical engineering, building automation, safety technology, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration technology, test bench and simulation technology, heating and sanitary technology as well as large-scale catering technology. The Elevion Group also includes EAB Elektroanlagenbau GmbH Rhein/Main based in Dietzenbach, D-I-E Elektro AG based in Jena, Rudolf Fritz Elektrotechnik GmbH with headquarters in Rüsselsheim, ETS Efficient Technical Solutions GmbH with headquarters in Oberhaching, HAu.S GmbH based in Jena and Elektro Decker GmbH with headquarters in Essen. DPE made this business services investment in September 2011. www.elevion.de
WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE
WESTFALIA-Automotive group, located in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany, was founded in 1844 and today is the European market leader for towbar systems (fixed, detachable and retractable) and rear end transport solutions (such as bicycle and carrier racks) for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. With a production capacity of over one million towbars per year and a product range of approximately 1,700 different types of towbars, WESTFALIA supplies all the leading automobile manufacturers in Europe. During the automotive crisis, the company proved to be very stable and out-performed the general industry. This over-achievement is a result of WESTFALIA’s clear position as the European innovation leader. As such, WESTFALIA won the “Best Brand”-award of the German “auto, motor und sport”-magazine in 2010 for the fifth time in a row. DPE completed this investment in December 2010 to finance the continued and profitable growth of the company. www.westfalia-automotive.de
INTERSCHALT MARITIME SYSTEMS
Interschalt is an absolute exception in the DPE portfolio. After an extremely short investment phase of just one year, we sold the leading provider of specialized software and services for the shipping industry to the Finnish Cargotec Corporation on December 31, 2015. The reason for this was that we complied, albeit reluctantly, with the wishes of INTERSCHALT’s minority shareholder, as Cargotec had presented a strategically and financially attractive offer that we were unable to refuse in the interests of INTERSCHALT’s employees, the client and our investors. We had already identified Cargotec as a potentially ideal partner for INTERSCHALT when we came on board. Due not least to the successful rollout of the cargo stowage software StowMan [S] and the acquisition of Müller+Blank, we will able to realize our goals more quickly than initially expected, which doubtless also contributed to the increase in strategic partners’ interest in INTERSCHALT. With Cargotec, INTERSCHALT can achieve the next level in its growth process much more quickly. The decision shows that even though we are fundamentally geared towards long-term investments and value development, our first concern is to find the most entrepreneurially sound solution. More information at: http://www.interschalt.com
AVAILON
Availon Holding has developed into a leading provider of services for the wind energy industry over seven years in our corporate family. In January 2016, we sold Availon to the Danish Vestas Group. DPE took over Availon as a small provider of services focusing on GE wind turbines in Germany. In 2008, sales in the core business were only €9 million. Since then, DPE has continuously expanded Availon – first in Austria, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Poland, and then in the USA. In addition, Availon specialized in turbines from Vestas and Gamesa. In the meantime, Availon offers wind energy operators comprehensive services from repair to turbine remote monitoring, and develops custom upgrades to ensure optimum energy yield of clients’ turbines. By the end of 2015, the company had wind turbines with a total capacity of more than 2.6 GW under contract – and had generated sales of around €60 million with 400 employees. Sales have thus increased more than six fold since 2008. Availon is a typical growth story for DPE. Like SSB Wind Systems, Iloxx, SLM and Interschalt, we have created a technological leader who is a strategically attractive asset for large, established market participants. We have thus enabled our portfolio companies to achieve the next stage of growth. www.availon.eu
ILOXX
iloxx is a fast growing Company specialized in the provision logistics solutions for private individuals and e-commerce companies. Based in Nuremberg, iloxx operates a website and IT platform which allows the cost efficient processing and billing of a wide range of logistic services which are carried out by external service providers, such as GLS, DHL and Kühne & Nagel. DPE completed this Business Services investment in May 2008.
SSB GROUP
In November 2009 the Wind Systems Division of SSB Group was sold to Emerson Electric Co. in St. Louis, Missouri/USA. The Wind System Division is one of the pioneers in the fast growing wind energy market and a world leader in electrical pitch systems and switchgears, following a very successful restructuring. DPE handed over a well managed, fast growing company with strong management and stable job perspectives to a strategic investor who is well positioned to support the company in its next growth phase.
SSB Duradrive GmbH develops, builds and maintains durable, customised drive solutions for industrial customers in various sectors with a particular focus on renewable energies. Located in Salzbergen, the Company offers a large variety of engine technologies, state-of-the-art drive systems and a comprehensive range of professional services. DPE spun off this business segment from the SSB Group Wind Systems Division in July 2009 to pursue new market opportunities independent of the parent group. SSB Duradrive was sold to an industrial investor in February 2013.
