Norwegian industrial investor Holta Invest acquires Swedish metal powder specialist MPT

Livingstone’s international Industrials sector team advised CapMan in its sale of MPT Sweden to Holta Invest, owner of Nizi International Group. The transaction is the result of a broad competitive sales process where Livingstone identified and evaluated a large number of international strategic and financial buyers.

MPT is the world’s leading precision supplier of metal powders for the welding, hardfacing and alloy steel manufacturing industries. The company is headquartered in Ekshärad, Sweden and works with customers in 40 countries. MPT was acquired by CapMan in 2009 and has since achieved a solid position within its sector, expanding into new markets, as well as broadening its product assortment to current customers.

Holta Invest brings expertise from previous investments in the sector to help guide MPT’s continued growth, in line with a shared vision with MPT’s management.

“We achieved a great outcome for all parties with Livingstone’s help. Their seasoned international team brought extensive experience in the metals and mining sector and showed a great understanding of MPT’s business model and markets. They navigated the international buyer landscape and provided multiple contact points into the buyers’ organizations,” says Tobias Karte, Investment Director at CapMan Buyout and responsible for the investment in MPT.

Holta Invest is a privately held Norwegian investment company with a long-term investment strategy focused on selected industries and regions where Holta Invest has a significant level of expertise. MPT will fit well into its metal activities in the Nizi International Group, which includes Chemalloy, a leading supplier of specialty metal powders to the North American welding industry.

The acquisition of MPT is an important step in the strategy of transitioning the Nizi Group towards more value-added services for the customers.

“Sweden and the broader Nordic region are home to many premium quality manufacturers and suppliers of metal related products and remain highly attractive for global investors. Nordic metals businesses are not only known for being well-managed and high performing, but also forward-thinking in terms of sustainability and other areas important to investors today,” says Mike Jenny, Managing Director at Livingstone.

In today’s hyper-competitive M&A markets, local access is critical to uncovering and understanding investment opportunities around the world. Livingstone’s presence in Stockholm offers unparalleled access to the local Nordic markets, providing an edge to both independent businesses and investors seeking compelling middle market opportunities in this dynamic region.

“This transaction is another excellent example of how Livingstone’s international team with in-depth sector expertise works together across borders. We’ve provided global access to the buyer universe and delivered seamless project management for our client,” says Thomas Karlsson, Partner at Livingstone.

The completion of this transaction reinforces Livingstone’s credentials as an international advisor in the metals space following the sale of John Crane’s Bearings Business (US/DE) to Miba (AUT), the sale of Metal & Waste Recycling (UK) to European Metal Recycling (UK), and the sale of Tennessee Valley Recycling (US) to SA Recycling (US). Livingstone was the exclusive financial advisor and Baker McKenzie was the legal advisor to CapMan during the sales process.