PARTNERS GROUP HOLDING AG Press release
Munich, Germany; Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 9 July 2019
Partners Group to acquire German toy maker Schleich
Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, has agreed to acquire a majority equity stake on behalf of its clients in one of Germany's largest toy manufacturers, Schleich ("Schleich" or the "Company"). Partners Group will purchase the stake from Ardian, a global investment company. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1935, Schleich has carved a strong niche in the traditional toy market, with its figurines and playsets characterized by their high quality, attention to detail, and realistic design. At the center of the well-known Schleich brand, the focus lies on sparking children's creativity and imagination through hands-on play, training their motor skills at the same time. With its strong German roots, headquartered in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schleich has steadily grown into an internationally-recognized toy brand, with products sold in over 50 countries worldwide and more than 40,000 points of sale online and offline.
Following the transaction, Schleich will continue to be supported by its strong and committed management team, led by CEO Dirk Engehausen. Partners Group will partner with management to lead Schleich into a new phase of international growth, further developing the brand for a global audience and continuing to build partnerships with online and physical retailers worldwide. Partners Group will also continue to support the development of the Company's online capabilities as well as investing in new product development to further develop its core figurine and playset product offerings.
Dirk Engehausen, CEO, Schleich, says of the transaction: "We are delighted to team with Partners Group, with its global footprint and strong operational capabilities, to lead Schleich in our exciting growth plans. While the Company has firmly established itself as a leading toymaker in the DACH region, we see huge potential to build on our presence internationally and are committed to establishing the Company as a true leader in the global toy market. We look forward to partnering with the Partners Group team to identify new regions and opportunities for long-term growth."
Kim Nguyen, Partner, Head Private Equity Europe, Partners Group, adds: "With its core mission to promote creativity and imagination in children's play, Schleich's unique brand gives it huge potential for growth. Given our global presence, and rich entrepreneurial experience across sectors, we believe Partners Group is the right partner to help Schleich realize this potential."
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