RepRap GmbH & Arburg GmbH & Co. KG
With Arburg, German RepRap has found a new owner that can take the target company’s accelerated growth to the next level.
German RepRap GmbH is in a new development phase with accelerated growth due to internationalization and broad market introduction of its LAM printing technology and was looking for a strategic partner. With its new and registered for patent approval printing technology using liquid printing materials (including silicone), German RepRap has a significant competitive advantage and targets high-growth markets and new applications in the consumer goods, aerospace, automotive and medical technology sectors. The new owners will support and accelerate internationalization and further growth into new market segments and application areas. The founder and his long-standing operational team will continue working for the company. The new shareholders are the owners of Arburg, the important and globally active German manufacturer of plastic injection moulding machines, which also develops, produces and sells systems for additive manufacturing in its product range.
In the transaction, atares* was responsible for the overall management of the project: this included process strategy development, equity story development, preparation of documentation, approaching potential investors as well as coordinating the due diligence process and leading the contract negotiations.
About German RepRap GmbH
German RepRap GmbH was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Feldkirchen near Munich. The company develops and distributes 3D printers based on RepRap technology (Fused Filament Fabrication). The X400 model was the pioneer of RepRap-based large-capacity 3D printers for industrial use, making German RepRap the first company in this area on the market. A wide range of fusible plastics is used as the base material and, as the latest innovation, silicone is also processed. The company is therefore able to offer cost-effective solutions for the rapid production of prototypes, small series and spare parts for complex components for various applications and industries. The product range is constantly being expanded and includes 3D printers for professional use in product development, prototyping, model and mould making, architecture and design. Customers include major industrial companies worldwide from various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, art and fashion.
About Arburg
The German family-owned company Arburg is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plastic processing machines. The product portfolio encompasses Allrounder injection moulding machines with clamping forces of between 125 and 6,500kN, the Freeformer for industrial additive manufacturing, plus robotic systems, customer and industry-specific turnkey solutions, and further peripheral equipment.
Arburg is a pioneer in the plastics industry when it comes to production efficiency, digitalisation (Industry 4.0) and sustainability. Its arburgXworld tool covers all of its digital products and services, and is also the name of the customer portal. Its arburgGREENworld initiative, meanwhile, covers resource efficiency and circular economy strategies, plus every company activity and approach that relates to this.
Arburg’s central aim is for customers to be able to produce their plastic products, from one-off parts to large-volume batches, in optimum quality at minimum unit costs. The company’s target groups include the automotive and packaging industries, communication and entertainment electronics, medical technology and the white goods sector.
Arburg has its own organisations at 34 locations in 26 different countries and, together with its trading partners, is present in more than 100 countries. This creates an international sales and service network that allows the company to provide first-class customer support on the ground. Production takes place exclusively at the parent company in Lossburg, Germany. Of a total of roughly 3,200 employees, around 2,650 work in Germany. About 550 further employees work in Arburg’s organisations around the world. Arburg has triple certification according to ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 50001 (energy).
Further information about Arburg can be found at www.arburg.com
About atares
Atares is the digital M&A boutique for technology-driven midcap companies in Germany and sees itself as a pioneer for the digitalization of the M&A industry. Founded in 2001, atares has advised more than 200 transactions in more than 20 years. The focus is on transaction volumes between EUR 10 and 100 million of mostly owner-managed companies. Since November 2023, the company formerly known as Proventis Partners, Munich, has been operating under the new company name atares GmbH. Atares has long-standing personal contacts with corporate and Private Equity investors and M&A advisors in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Highly specialized expertise for the market, empathy for people and passion make atares a sought-after M&A partner for the tech champions of tomorrow. More than 20 employees at atares in Munich and Düsseldorf manage their projects via the in-house developed digital M&A dealfloor (dealfloor.co) – for value-adding, efficient transactions with the best user experience.
Team
*At the time of the transaction, atares traded under the name Proventis Partners GmbH Muenchen
