Buchanan Capital Partners acquires stake in Dehler
By IBI Magazine
Funds managed by the growth investor Buchanan Capital Partners have acquired a minority stake via capital increase in the sailing boat manufacturer Dehler, with a view to accelerating the German boatbuilder's growth.
"Buchanan Capital Partners contributes equity to the company as a minority investor in order to support the aspiring growth strategy of the CEO and main shareholder, Wilan van den Berg. With him at the top of the organisation we enjoy a highly motivated and competent management team", Peter Blumenwitz, Partner of Buchanan Capital Partners said in a statement today.
Wilan van den Berg will continue to be the majority shareholder of Dehler. Van den Berg, who took over the company three years ago, is credited with repositioning the Dehler brand by taking the company into the 'high-end' segment of the performance cruising yachts sector.
Sales are reported to have increased from about €10m to €30m this year. The number of employees has surged from 80 in 2005 to above 150 today.
"The investment from Buchanan Capital Partners allows us to expand the production capacity in Freienohl substantially. This will enable us to satisfy the growing demand and to shorten the waiting period for our customers. The expectations of sportive sailors regarding the quality of Dehler is what we focus on - this is what will make us to the globally leading company engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of luxurious Performance Cruisers", explains Wilan van den Berg, major shareholder and CEO of Dehler.
Earlier this year Buchanan Capital Partners acquired the majority of the Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary, Time:Matter, together with the management.
Dehler was founded in 1962 by Willy and Heinz Dehler. Within a short period of time it had become Germany's largest and best known shipyard for sailing yachts - with a total number of 21,000 boats sold. The company floundered in the late 1990s however, and was acquired by van den Berg in 2004.
(27 November 2007)
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