Lindsay Goldberg LLC invests in WEENER Plastik AG

Livingstone’s Industrial sector team has advised the family owners of international manufacturer of plastic packaging, WEENER Plastik AG, on its sale to US investor Lindsay Goldberg LLC.

WEENER designs, develops and manufactures innovative plastic packaging for the Personal Care, Food & Beverage, Home Care, Chemical and Pharmaceutical markets. This includes primary packaging such as sealing caps, valve caps, beverage caps, plastic bottles, jars, dispensers and also dosing systems for customer-specific solutions and standardised products.

With a turnover of approximately €140m in 2011, WEENER is one of the leading suppliers of closures in Europe and has a significant market position for deo roll-on products. The company operates manufacturing sites in 21 countries across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Central America and Africa. Founded in early 1960s, the company and has more than 1,200 employees.

Lindsay Goldberg LLC, was founded in 2001 and manages funds of $10bn.

“The spectrum of expertise and possibilities that we offer secures our competitive edge and growth prospects. This includes our strength in innovation, our broad technological basis and our proximity to customers thanks to our global presence. In Lindsay Goldberg we have found the ideal partner to also continue leading the group in this spirit into the future,” says Johann Meinders, CEO of WEENER Plastik AG.

“WEENER is truly a hidden champion. Based on solid funding we will push WEENER’s international growth over the coming years leveraging our large entrepreneurial experience,” explains Dr. Thomas Ludwig, Head of Lindsay Goldberg’s German team.

“We are very pleased to have found a new owner in Lindsay Goldberg, who will continue leading the company in the spirit of the former shareholders and support the further international expansion of WEENER Group for the sake of the employees and our clients,” says Johann Schröder, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of WEENER Plastik AG.

Ralph Hagelgans, Partner at Livingstone Düsseldorf, adds: “It was a real pleasure to advise the shareholders on this complex transaction. Due to the age of the main shareholder representatives and the need for a sustainable management solution, a succession plan was needed, which would allow for the next internationalisation and growth steps. The solution found with Lindsay Goldberg fulfils these criteria perfectly, as the incumbent management team can continue to pursue its growth strategy with access to the financial resources to make the next major steps. The ability of the buyer to close the transaction without the initial involvement of banks was another reason for choosing Lindsay Goldberg.”