Successful successor solution for Tiefenbach Control Systems

With a partnership with Family Trust Investor, Tiefenbach Control Systems is continuing its sustainable growth. The company will continue to operate at the existing locations and further end markets will be developed.

After 26 years of successful development as part of the Knapheide family of companies, Family Trust will take over Tiefenbach Control Systems as of March 30, 2022 as part of a long-term succession solution. Family Trust will invest in the further growth of Tiefenbach Control Systems in the future, for example by broadening the product and service portfolio and opening up new geographic markets. In addition, Tiefenbach and Family Trust will jointly examine the acquisition of further companies in the Mining segment.  

Tiefenbach Control Systems GmbH designs, sells, and manufactures electrohydraulic and hydraulic control systems for applications in the fields of mining, offshore and heavy industry at its headquarters in Bochum and 3 worldwide subsidiaries with approx. 140 employees. With an export quota >90%, Tiefenbach achieved an annual turnover of € 35 million in the past financial year.

Family Trust is a long-term investor founded by entrepreneurs with a focus on succession solutions for family-owned businesses. In addition to significant own funds of the managing partners, Family Trust invests the assets of institutional investors, family offices and entrepreneurial families. The aim of the Family Trust is to further develop companies in the long term and sustainably within the framework of well-structured succession solutions.

WAYES acted as exclusive financial advisor for this transaction to carry out the investor process. The Knapheide family and the management of Tiefenbach Control Systems GmbH were advised by the WAYES transaction team headed by Michael Rabe. The project team also included Hamed Omumi, Hendrik Leigers and Felix Dreyer.

The legal support for the Knapheide family in the transaction process was provided by the AULINGER team consisting of Axel Staudt (lead, M&A) and Dr. Markus Haggeney (M&A, corporate law).  Based in the Ruhr Metropolis, Aulinger advises nationwide and at the highest level in the entire spectrum of commercial law.