Beyond Capital Partners´ portfolio company LDBS Lichtdienst GmbH acquires through add-on acquisitions two lighting specialized firms to expand its established market position in Germany

Februarary 2018
Frankfurt am Main

Beyond Capital Partners Fund I (“Beyond Capital”) portfolio company LDBS Lichtdienst GmbH (“LDBS”) acquires a 100% stake in each of the two lighting service specialized firms Larsen Indoor Light Concept (“Larsen”) and Heitronic – H. Vollmer GmbH (“Heitronic”) and hence strengthens its competence in the area of market leading premium products and concepts for shop lighting solutions (Larsen) and enhances its portfolio of lighting products through an own strong brand (Heitronic).

LDBS is a leading lighting technology specialist in the German speaking region and offers B2B customers in the retail, shop and industrial sector solutions through a complete service portfolio in the field of lighting. With its integrated service concept and hence the combination of procurement expertise, product knowledge and a one-stop-shop service approach, LDBS shows a unique market position. Additionally, LDBS uses its online platform to market a broad product portfolio of lamps and lighting technology and offers its customers a full integration in their enterprise resource planning and therefore a direct order mechanism. Through the acquisition of Larsen, LDBS will significantly increase its competence in the conceptual design and planning process for shop lighting solutions. With the add-on of Heitronic, LDBS´ portfolio includes a strong own brand including lamps and lighting technic products which is highly demanded and well-recognized for decades from customers like DIY-operators, architects and electrical engineering providers. The closing of both transactions has been held recently.

“Through the acquisition of 100% in each of the companies and the implementation under the LDBS Group while maintaining the three brands, we will offer our B2B customers an even more extensive competence and product solution variety, intensifying our outstanding position as one-stop-shop specialist in the segment of complex and professional lighting services”, says Robert Bechtle, Managing Partner at LDBS. “In the course of our buy-and-build orientated growth strategy we will prospectively acquire and integrate further market competitors to further expand our position as one of the leading companies in lighting services in Germany and beyond.”

“With both acquisitions, we accompany LDBS´ in its focused strategy to offer a customer-centered, complete service with ensuring a comprehensive competence and quality at the same time. We are pleased to lift LDBS in its prosperous development through those two acquisitions to a new growth level and maintain on track to escort the firm on its way to become a European Champion in the lighting services business”, says Christoph D. Kauter, Founder and Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Partners.

Beyond Capital Partners is an investment company focusing on the acquisition of majority shareholdings of profitable small- and medium enterprises in the German speaking DACH region. The investment strategy comprises the sustainable support in the organic and external growth strategy of the portfolio companies.

"Even after 20 years, our desire for something new has not yet been satisfied. Together with Beyond Capital Partners, we want to reach the next level, bring our agency forward, open up new target groups and locations and attract new employees.”

Alexander Osterwald,
Founder and Managing Director von ECD International

Alexander Osterwald,
Founder and Managing Director von ECD International

"For us, Beyond Capital Partners is the ideal partner, as we are pursuing the same vision – to become one of Europe's leading experiential marketing agencies"

Jörn Pfotenhauer,
Founder and Managing Director von ECD International

Jörn Pfotenhauer,
Founder and Managing Director von ECD International

Portfolio

ECD International Holding GmbH

Purchase: August 2023

Key Figures at the Time of Acquisition

EUR 10-15 Mio.
Turnover

20 %
EBITDA

25
Employees

Value Creation Levers

Operational Improvements
  • Expansion of digital skills (apps, AI tools)
  • Process optimization / efficiency enhancement
Organic Growth
  • Hiring new employees
  • Attracting new customers
  • Cross-selling potential with existing customers
  • Opening of new lcoations: national and international expansion
  • Diversification of service portfolio
  • Increasing brand awareness
Inorganic Growth
  • Acquisition of specialist agencies

Current Portfolio Companies

ORENDT STUDIOS Holding GmbH

B2B Services
ORENDT STUDIOS Holding GmbH is a group of companies specializing in the production and creation of marketing content for national and international branded goods and retail companies.

ECD International Holding GmbH

Agency
ECD International is a multidisciplinary and internationally active full-service agency in the premium and luxury segment and offers first-class services such as brand management, live marketing, communication, creative work, guest relations and CRM programs for a demanding target group.

 

Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH

Forestry
Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen is one of the leading forest nurseries for seedling production in Germany and has over 100 ha of cultivable land in the Halstenbek area near Hamburg.

Soft & Cloud GmbH​

Software Distribution

Soft & Cloud is one of the leading providers of used standard software in Germany and partner for digital solutions as well as consultant for IT issues for business-to-business customers.

 

Ank-Kaiser Sanitätshaus GmbH

Healthcare
The ANK Group is the leading medical supply store group in Rhineland-Palatinate with a focus on medical supply and rehabilitation technology solutions for its customers.

Dr. Hoffmann Facility Services Group GmbH

Industrial Cleaning
Dr. Hoffmann Facility Services Group GmbH, based in Munich, is an established and owner-managed company for over 30 years and a nationwide facility cleaning service provider.

Wiethe Content GmbH

E-Commerce

The Wiethe Content Group is the largest e-commerce photo studio in Europe and an innovation leader in the area of ​​CGI and digitalization.

Xortec GmbH

Security and Data Communication Solutions
Xortec is a leading value-added distributor for integrated video surveillance and data communication solutions. The company’s focus is on the distribution of professional video surveillance solutions and a comprehensive range of accompanying services.

OUNDA GmbH

Optometry and Acoustics

Under the brand name “Klein, aber fein “, and with 110 shops across Germany, OUNDA is the leading group of premium opticians and acoustic solution providers in Germany.

LDBS Lichtdienst GmbH

Lighting Technology

LDBS is a leading lighting specialist in German-speaking countries and offers B2B customers a unique complete service for all aspects of lighting.

Seals of our Portfolio Companies

Former Portfolio Companies

EBERTLANG Distribution GmbH

IT / Software (B2B)

EBERTLANG, headquartered in Wetzlar, has been one of the leading value-added software distributors in the B2B segment in German-speaking Europe since its foundation in 1995.

sysob IT- Unternehmensgruppe GmbH

IT Security

sysob is a leading independent specialist distributor with over 1,200 partners and 180 top partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

BigCityBeats GmbH

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Since its foundation in 2005, the BigCityBeats Group has established itself among the leading producers and organizers of stadium events for club music and created a global brand core with its brand “World Club Dome”.

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"Together with our strong partner Beyond Capital Partners, we will continue to grow, steadily expand our areas and act as a key player in forest reforestation."

Holger Grelck,
Managing Director of Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH

Holger Grelck,
Managing Director of Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH

Portfolio

Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH

Purchase: September 2023

Key Figures at the Time of Acquisition

EUR 5-15 Mio.
Turnover

>30 %
EBITDA

50
Employees