VR Equitypartner GmbH: VR Equitypartner supports KTP Kunststoff Palettentechnik in the acquisition of K2 PAK

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VR Equitypartner supports KTP Kunststoff Palettentechnik in the acquisition of K2 PAK

Frankfurt am Main/Bous, 18 January 2023 – KTP Kunststoff Palettentechnik GmbH (KTP) has acquired a majority stake in K2 PAK, Koper, Slovenia. KTP was supported by Frankfurt-based private equity company VR Equitypartner (VREP), which has a minority stake in the Saarland-based company. KTP is one of Europe’s market leaders in the manufacture and development of foldable large containers, large load carriers as well as pallets and carrier systems made of plastic. With the acquisition of K2 PAK, KTP is strengthening its business area around the inner packaging of transport boxes, leveraging valuable synergies between the two companies and continuing its long-term growth strategy.

KTP had already acquired a majority stake in K2 PAK at the beginning of 2022; the shareholding was again significantly increased at the turn of the year. The remaining shares continue to be held by the managing partner Marco Krmac. As an inner packaging company, the family-owned K2 PAK has been developing and supplying advanced industrial reusable packaging solutions made of a wide range of materials for over two decades, providing optimum protection for customers' components during transport.  With the already established longstanding business relationships with KTP, the integration will enable further synergies to be leveraged while forging ahead with development and innovation opportunities.

KTP Kunststoff Palettentechnik GmbH, based in Bous (Saarland), has specialized in the manufacture and development of foldable large containers, large load carriers as well as pallets and carrier systems made of plastic since 1988. The advantages of KTP containers are their ease of use and being space-saving by reducing volume. In addition, resources are economized - both through the use of recycled raw materials and the possibility of returning them to the raw material cycle, and thanks to the lower transport weight. VREP had acquired a minority stake in KTP at the end of 2011 in a bid to support the management in exploiting the company's further growth potential and driving forward its internationalization. From its headquarters in Bous and its Chinese sales location in Taicang, KTP now exports its products to over 100 countries.

“Financial year 2022 was a record year in KTP’s history”, says KTP’s Managing Director Martin Hentschel. “We also acquired a majority stake in K2 PAK, thereby entering the inner packaging market. This will expand our offering, increase our competitiveness and enhance customer proximity. We look forward to our future growth together.” Christian Futterlieb, Managing Director of VREP, also welcomes the new partnership: “With the acquisition of K2 PAK, KTP is continuing its successful growth story: after the strong expansion of production capacities, the ongoing diversification out of the automotive sector into other industries and the successful internationalization, the acquisition of K2 PAK is a real game changer. The addressable market has increased significantly and now offers customer access through both transport boxes and inner packaging.”

VR Equitypartner – Overview:

VR Equitypartner is one of the leading private equity companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company supports family-owned SMEs in a target-driven manner and brings decades of experience in finding strategic solutions to complex financing issues. Investment initiatives include growth and expansion financing, corporate succession, and shareholder changes. VR Equitypartner offers majority and minority shareholdings as well as mezzanine financing. As a subsidiary of DZ BANK, Germany's leading cooperative bank, VR Equitypartner consistently puts the sustainability of corporate development ahead of short-term exit thinking. VR Equitypartner's portfolio currently comprises around 60 portfolio companies with an investment volume of EUR 400 million.

For further information see www.vrep.de.

VR Equitypartner’s transaction team:

Sarah Ostermann, Simone Weck
 

Consultancy firms that VR Equitypartner has involved in the transaction:

Financial due diligence: ECOVIS CF, Ljubljana, with Christoph Geymayer

Legal due diligence and legal advice: CMS REICH-ROHRWIG HAINZ/Senica & Partners, Ljubljana, with Aleš Lunder

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