immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Akquisition

  • Acquisition makes interior fit-out projects more efficient and regionally focused

    Acquisition makes interior fit-out projects more efficient and regionally focused

    Obrist interior AG, based in Lucerne, has announced in a press release that it has acquired the American company Display Craft Manufacturing Co. of Baltimore, Maryland. The acquisition will increase production capacity for the North American market.

    Local manufacturing will make project execution more sustainable and efficient, according to the company, which specialises in high-end shopfitting and interior design. This means fewer transport and freight routes, simpler logistics and packaging, and shorter project lead times. The expansion of market activity in the US is a response to the high demand from luxury and premium brands, which have a strong presence there, for short delivery times, rapid response times and close collaboration with local production partners.

    Corrado Tona, CEO of Obrist Interior America Inc., will take charge of operational management: “We are gaining a strong local team, expanding our manufacturing expertise and getting even closer to our customers. This strengthens our competitiveness and enables us to serve the US market, which we have actively developed in recent years, in an even more targeted manner,” he is quoted as saying. According to owner Stefan Slamanig, the existing presence in the US will be deepened and the Obrist brand strengthened across the entire value chain.

    Display Craft Manufacturing Co. has been a supplier of retail displays and solutions for shopfitting and interior design for more than 75 years. The manufacturing company has 40 employees, who will be integrated “into the values and quality standards of Obrist interior”.

    The acquisition is accompanied by an expansion of capacity, combined with reduced reliance on external suppliers, greater flexibility, cost optimisation and increased strategic resilience. Solutions for customers and projects can be implemented in a more economically and environmentally efficient manner. The new production site also offers opportunities for employees at the Swiss locations.

  • Swiss speciality chemicals drive expansion in the sealant market

    Swiss speciality chemicals drive expansion in the sealant market

    Sika has announced the acquisition of Akkim, a Turkish company specialising in adhesives and sealants. The Zug-based specialty chemicals group aims to expand its customer reach and strengthen its market position in the global adhesives and sealants industry. According to a statement, the acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

    Akkim, based in Istanbul with two production facilities in Turkey and Romania, distributes adhesives and sealants for the construction sector via a wide-ranging customer network. Established distribution channels in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa enable it to serve a broadly diversified customer base. According to the announcement, net sales in 2025 amounted to the equivalent of CHF 220 million.

    Sika expects the greater geographical reach to provide significant growth opportunities. “The acquisition will enable Sika to establish a highly efficient production and export hub for sales-oriented adhesives and sealants, which will support long-term growth in this segment,” the statement said.

    Sika also intends to use Akkim’s additional expertise and broad network to expand its e-commerce business and offer complementary products such as repair mortars and sealing solutions through cross-selling.

  • Growth strategy in the building technology market continues

    Growth strategy in the building technology market continues

    The Burkhalter Group, a full-service provider of cross-trade building technology, is acquiring Enplan AG, which specialises in the planning of heating and ventilation systems and efficient energy concepts. The company has been operating in the regional market since 1984, employs five people and generates annual sales of around CHF 0.6 million.

    Enplan AG will be merged with Längle & Staub GmbH in St. Gallen, which belongs to the Burkhalter Group, and will continue to operate at its current location as Enplan, a branch of Längle & Staub GmbH. All employees will be retained.

    Secondly, the Burkhalter Group is acquiring Elektro Gasser AG, which has been active in the electrical and telecommunications (ICT) sectors since 1991. The company employs seven people and generates annual sales of around CHF 2 million. Elektro Gasser AG will be gradually integrated into TZ Stromag, which belongs to the Group. At the same time, a branch of TZ Stromag will be established at the Lalden site under the name Gasser Elektro ICT, while Elektro Gasser AG will continue to operate as an independent company until further notice.

    With these acquisitions, the Burkhalter Group is continuing its growth strategy. It provides services in the fields of heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, sanitation and electrical engineering and is headquartered in Zurich.

  • Future-oriented and more agile

    Future-oriented and more agile

    The Board of Directors has decided to reduce the Executive Board from six to five members. This is intended not only to increase agility, but also to optimize operational interfaces in order to drive forward the preservation and increase in value of the real estate portfolio more consistently. The Executive Board will now comprise the Real Estate, Development, Acquisitions, Finance and Corporate Center divisions.

    Management with clear responsibilities and comprehensive expertise
    Nadia Mastacchi is taking over the Real Estate division, which now includes portfolio and transaction management as well as property management. This creates a uniform interface that strengthens the portfolio as a whole.

    Marco Tondel remains Head of Development and is also responsible for realization. Bundling these tasks increases cost efficiency and strengthens the value chain.

    Vinzenz Manser, with over 20 years of experience at Mobimo, is now in charge of acquisitions. The merger increases the market impact and promotes the necessary agility in the face of intense competition.

    Christoph Egli is leaving the Executive Board after the independent property management division was dissolved. His many years of commitment and formative role in the property management business are highly valued by the Board of Directors.

    Sustainable management organization
    This reorganization is intended to bundle the entire value chain more strongly and position it more effectively in the market. The move underscores the strategy of continuing to respond successfully and agilely to the challenges of a changing real estate market.

  • Bosch strengthens Home Comfort through mega-acquisition

    Bosch strengthens Home Comfort through mega-acquisition

    The Bosch Group has taken a significant step towards implementing its 2030 corporate strategy with the acquisition of Johnson Controls’ global heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions business and the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture. The acquisition, which is expected to close in twelve months, includes 16 production and 12 development sites in over 30 countries. The purchase price is eight billion US dollars.

    Strengthening the Home Comfort Group
    With the acquisition, the Bosch Home Comfort Group will increase its turnover from around five billion euros to nine billion euros and increase the number of employees to over 26,000. This expansion will enable Bosch to benefit significantly from economies of scale and a complementary portfolio at the interface of heating and cooling. “The new units will become part of Bosch’s core business and strengthen our position in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning market worldwide,” emphasizes Christian Fischer, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

    Innovative and energy-efficient solutions
    The acquisition supports Bosch in its mission to provide innovative and energy-efficient solutions for climate protection and the energy transition. The focus on heat pumps and air conditioning technology fits perfectly with the company’s strategic focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Frank Meyer, Member of the Board of Management for the Energy and Building Technology business sector at Bosch, explains: “Our aim is to actively shape the market for energy and building technology and take a leading global position.”

    Expanding global market presence
    The acquisition significantly strengthens Bosch’s presence in the USA and Asia. In the USA, the focus is on Ducted solutions, which enable centralized air distribution, while in Asia, Ductless solutions and VRF systems are preferred. These technologies offer flexible and efficient heating and cooling options for different types of buildings, from small commercial spaces to large projects such as hotels or hospitals.

    Future prospects and strategic integration
    With this acquisition, Bosch is ideally positioned to benefit from the projected growth opportunities in the global market for heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions. Jan Brockmann, President of the Bosch Home Comfort Group, sees a bright future: “The demand for climate control solutions is growing rapidly. We look forward to shaping the future of the Bosch Home Comfort Group together with our new colleagues.”

    Focus on sustainability and comfort
    Bosch is sending a clear signal for the future with this strategic acquisition. By integrating energy-efficient technologies and expanding its product portfolio, the company will be able to provide even better support to its customers worldwide. The investment in innovative solutions and the strong market position should not only contribute to the energy transition, but also improve the comfort and quality of life of many people.

  • Holcim acquires Belgian construction waste recycler

    Holcim acquires Belgian construction waste recycler

    Holcim is further expanding circular construction as a driver of profitable growth. Following the Cand-Landi Group in Switzerland, Land Recovery in the UK and Mendiger Basalt in Germany, the building materials producer has made its fourth acquisition this year with the family business Mark Desmedt, founded in 1989 and, according to Holcim, the leading recycler of construction demolition materials in Belgium.

    According to a Holcim statement, Mark Desmedt recycles more than 500,000 tonnes annually. In addition, the company is strategically located between Brussels and Antwerp and can therefore serve the country’s two largest conurbations. This will enable Holcim to expand its ECOCycle product range for circular construction solutions in Belgium and boost its profitable growth.

    This acquisition brings Holcim closer to its goal of recycling 10 million tonnes of construction waste per year. “With Mark Desmedt’s team, we are accelerating our vision to drive circular construction in the key metropolitan regions where we operate to build cities out of cities,” Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic is quoted as saying.

  • SMG Swiss Marketplace Group takes over moneyland.ch

    SMG Swiss Marketplace Group takes over moneyland.ch

    SMG Swiss Marketplace Group, which was founded in November 2021 as a joint venture between TX Group, Ringier, Die Mobiliar and General Atlantic, is expanding its portfolio with this acquisition. The existing brands in the areas of real estate (ImmoScout24, Homegate, Flatfox, Immostreet.ch, alle-immobilien.ch, home.ch, Publimmo, Acheter-Louer.ch, CASASOFT, IAZI), automotive (AutoScout24, MotoScout24) and general marketplaces (anibis.ch, tutti.ch, Ricardo) are now being joined by moneyland.ch in the area of finance & insurance.

    High-quality financial comparisons and expertise
    Jochen Pernegger, Managing Director Finance & Insurance at SMG, emphasised the importance of moneyland.ch: “With its high-quality financial comparisons, moneyland.ch has set standards in the industry, both then and now. We are delighted to be working together to drive the Finance & Insurance segment forward and to be able to benefit from the breadth of products, expertise and years of know-how of the moneyland team.”

    Ideal addition to the existing offering
    The integration of moneyland.ch ideally complements SMG’s offering in the finance and insurance sector. FinanceScout24, SMG’s existing brand in the Finance & Insurance segment, will be expanded through the acquisition. This will enable consumers in Switzerland to find and take out suitable products for their financial and insurance needs quickly and digitally.

    Advantages of the acquisition
    Benjamin Manz, founder of moneyland.ch, sees the acquisition as a major advantage. “Moneyland.ch can benefit from the digital expertise, network, reach and awareness of the established SMG platforms.” This will enable the comparison platform to become accessible to a broad audience. Manz adds: “We are particularly looking forward to working with the FinanceScout24 team.”

    With the acquisition of moneyland.ch, SMG Swiss Marketplace Group is strengthening its position in the Finance & Insurance segment and offering Swiss consumers extended access to high-quality comparison services.

  • New player in the UK recycling market

    New player in the UK recycling market

    Holcim is acquiring the ballast recycling company Land Recovery, based in the British county of Cheshire. With its 85 employees, it uses railway ballast and demolition material for the production of ready-mix concrete, precast elements and asphalt.

    According to a press release, this acquisition expands Holcim’s access to construction waste. Land Recovery processed 300,000 tonnes of this material last year.

    “Land Recovery strengthens Holcim’s leading position in circular construction,” Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic is quoted as saying. “This brings us closer to our Group target of recycling 10 million tonnes of construction waste in 2024.”

    Land Recovery was founded in 1982 by the Beecroft family. With four sites in the UK, the company’s services include the supply of primary ballast for rail transport, the handling and processing of spent ballast and its recycling into new construction solutions.

    The transaction follows Holcim’s acquisition last year of Sivyer Logistics, a manufacturer of recycled demolition materials for the London construction market.

  • Marktexpansion in Europa: Unternehmen stärkt Position durch Akquisitionen

    Marktexpansion in Europa: Unternehmen stärkt Position durch Akquisitionen

    Der Gebäudezulieferer Arbonia will laut einer Mitteilung die europäische Wettbewerbslandschaft im Bereich Innen- und Spezialtüren konsolidieren. Dazu hat das Unternehmen mit Sitz in Arbon sowohl die spanische Dimoldura, Marktführer für Innentüren in Südwesteuropa, sowie das tschechische Unternehmen Lignis für Spezialtüren akquiriert. Mit den Übernahmen erweitere Arbonia seine Marktpräsenz nach Südwest- und Osteuropa und komme dem eigenen Anspruch der Marktführerschaft in Europa einen grossen Schritt näher, heisst es weiter.

    «Durch die Diversifikation unserer Märkte Richtung Ost- und Südwesteuropa machen wir mit Dimoldura und Lignis einen grossen Schritt in der Weiterentwicklung und Umsetzung der Strategie von Arbonia Doors, von einem primär zentraleuropäischen, hin zu einem marktführenden europäischen Vollsortimenter», wird Claudius Moor zitiert, CEO der Division Türen bei Arbonia.

    Dimoldura in Quintanar de la Orden in der Provinz Toledo erwirtschaftete laut der Firmenmitteilung 2023 einen Umsatz von rund 120 Millionen Euro. Das organische Umsatzwachstum in den vergangenen drei Jahren betrug über 13 Prozent pro Jahr. Die Gruppe hat Produktionswerke in Spanien, Portugal und Frankreich. Das tschechische Unternehmen Lignis in Koritschan (Koryčany) ist Spezialist für Funktionstüren. Wie Dimoldura verfügt auch Lignis über eine kosteneffiziente Produktion. Lignis erwirtschaftete 2023 einen Umsatz von rund 14 Millionen Euro. Das organische Umsatzwachstum in den vergangenen drei Jahren betrug über 25 Prozent pro Jahr.

    Arbonia übernimmt alle Aktivitäten von Dimoldura und Lignis inklusive der rund 600 Mitarbeitenden. Die beiden Akquisitionen werden hauptsächlich durch einen Überbrückungskredit in Höhe von 100 Millionen Euro sowie durch vorhandene Kreditlinien finanziert.

  • Market expansion in Europe: company strengthens position through acquisitions

    Market expansion in Europe: company strengthens position through acquisitions

    According to an article in the “Impulse” magazine published by the Aargau Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AIHK), the new building project of the Aargau Chamber of Commerce and Industry(AIHK) has reached an important milestone with the submission of the building application to the city of Aarau at the end of September. Depending on the building permit, construction work is expected to start at the beginning of 2025, the article continues. The building application for the new Haus der Wirtschaft was handed over by AIHK President Beat Bechtold to City President Hanspeter Hilfiker and City Clerk Fabian Humbel in front of Aarau City Hall, according to the report.

    The AIHK project team had already been in contact with various contacts in the city beforehand, the report continues. For example, the city architect and the city planning commission were consulted when it came to realising a construction project with the broadest possible support.

    The planning application marks the start of the approval process. Demolition is planned for the end of 2024. The new building is then expected to be occupied in the third quarter of 2026.

    On the one hand, the new Haus der Wirtschaft will be able to host more professional courses and events thanks to the new facilities, the report in “Impulse” continues. On the other hand, the new building stands for the ongoing digitalisation and modernisation that has been taking place at the association for several years.

  • Zurich buys site for urban housing estate in Witikon

    Zurich buys site for urban housing estate in Witikon

    The city of Zurich has acquired a site for social housing in the Witikon neighbourhood. According to a press release, the city purchased the Harsplen site from the Swisscanto Investment Foundation for a sum of CHF 210 million. With the 30,300 square metre plot of land, Zurich acquired development plans for a residential area with 370 units. The costs totalled 211.28 million Swiss francs.

    The acquisition will be the first urban development on the eastern edge of Witikon. The housing development is in line with the goal of increasing the proportion of non-profit rental housing to one third by 2050. The construction project fulfils the requirements for urban housing construction and the corresponding sustainability requirements. According to the development plans for municipal housing construction, living space for around 700 people can be created here. The city council is regulating the associated building and zoning regulations in order to ensure optimal transport links to the site.

  • Im Proptech-Bereich von PriceHubble erfolgreich übernommen

    Im Proptech-Bereich von PriceHubble erfolgreich übernommen

    Die Übernahme ist bereits die zweite Akquisition von PriceHubble in Grossbritannien innerhalb eines Jahres, nach der Übernahme von Dataloft im März 2023. Durch die Integration der Produkt- und Datenstärke stärkt das Unternehmen seine Position als lokaler Marktführer und wird zum unangefochtenen globalen Spitzenreiter bei Performance-Datenlösungen, die einen Mehrwert für die Banken-, Versicherungs-, Vermögensverwaltungs- und Immobilienbranche weltweit bieten.

    Im Jahr 2012 gegründet, bietet WhenFresh Zugang zu über 200 erstklassigen, proprietären, privaten und öffentlichen Datensätzen über eine einfache API-Integration an, einschliesslich wichtiger ESG-bezogener Informationen. Die Lösungen ermöglichen es Kunden, schnellere und fundiertere Entscheidungen im Zusammenhang mit Immobilienrisiken zu treffen.

    Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und Vorstand, äusserte sich erfreut über die erfolgreiche Übernahme: «Wir haben uns als führender B2B SaaS-Anbieter von Performance-Datenlösungen im Immobilienbereich für Banken, Versicherungen und Vermögensverwalter weltweit etabliert. Die Vollendung unserer sechsten Übernahme und die Erweiterung unserer einzigartigen Fähigkeiten im grössten Banken- und Immobilienmarkt Europas und darüber hinaus erfüllen uns mit Stolz.»

    Alexis Radjabi, Vertriebsvorstand Westeuropa, betonte die Bedeutung der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Team: «Durch die Verschmelzung unserer Lösungen mit dem Fachwissen im Bankwesen, bei Versicherungen, in Versorgungsunternehmen und im öffentlichen Sektor sowie der Expertise im Bereich Marktinformationen für Wohnimmobilien können wir einzigartige Performance-Datenlösungen entwickeln und unsere Position als europäischer Marktführer weiter stärken.»

    Die übernommene Firma wird eine hundertprozentige Tochtergesellschaft von PriceHubble UK unter der Leitung von Mark Cunningham, Mitgründer und Direktor. Cunningham äusserte sich begeistert: «Wir sind sehr aufgeregt, Teil der expandierenden Familie zu werden. Die Zusammenführung unseres umfangreichen Immobiliendatenbestands, unserer technologischen Exzellenz und unseres datenwissenschaftlichen Know-hows wird es uns ermöglichen, die Produkt- und Serviceentwicklung zu beschleunigen und unser Geschäft im grossen Massstab auszubauen.»

    Alan Dean, Mitgründer und Technischer Direktor, wird Group Innovation Director und wird die Wachstumsagenda des Unternehmens in Grossbritannien und international weiter vorantreiben. Dean betonte: «Diese Übernahme eröffnet beiden Unternehmen die Möglichkeit, ihre Technologien zu teilen, um die Entwicklung neuer Produkte zu beschleunigen. Sie bietet eine enorme Chance, unseren Erfolg in Grossbritannien als Teil der Group auf den internationalen Markt zu bringen.»

  • HRS strengthens regional development competence

    HRS strengthens regional development competence

    In line with the new organisational structure, the HRS Executive Board will be expanded. Four Executive Board members are now responsible for the area of site and real estate development in the top operational management body: Michael Breitenmoser for Eastern Switzerland and Ticino; Yves Diacon for Central Eastern and Northwestern Switzerland; Herbert Zaugg, who has just joined HRS, for Central Western Switzerland; and Thierry Müller, as before, for Western Switzerland.

    The rest of the Executive Board remains unchanged. As before, the strategic management of the company is carried out by CEO/owner Martin Kull and COO/owner Rebecca Kull. Peter Keller will continue to be responsible for the finances as CFO.

    Separate Managing Director for IPZ Property AG
    The Generation Project Innovation Park Zurich on the site of the former military airfield in Dübendorf, which is being driven forward by IPZ Property AG and in which HRS is a shareholder, will now be managed as a separate unit by Andrea C. Thöny as Managing Director. He was already responsible for the project as development manager for HRS.

    “We are convinced that this strategically conscious harmonisation will enable us to significantly strengthen our already extensive development competencies in all regions of Switzerland. This offers great advantages for the building owners. It generates synergies in development and construction projects at an early stage and creates more security and speed in the increasingly complex planning and approval processes,” CEO and owner Martin Kull is convinced.

    Michael Breitenmoser, born in 1980, is an architect FH and holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate Management. After working in two architecture firms, he joined HRS in 2011 as project manager for real estate development and, from 2015, head of the real estate development department. In addition to competition management, he is responsible for the development of the Saurer WerkZwei site in Arbon, the “Chez Fritz” high-rise in Buchs, Wankdorfcity 3 in Bern, Bundesplatz in Lucerne, the Stadler Rail Competence Centre in St. Margrethen and centre development on the Gschwend site in Steffisburg.

    Yves Diacon, born in 1986, is a construction economist FH and holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate Management. After three years with another real estate development company, he joined HRS in 2011 as a project manager for real estate development and became head of department for real estate development in 2015, where he was responsible for all investor and overall performance competitions in the Central-East region. His portfolio includes the Ensemble project on the Hardturm site in Zurich, the Rosentalturm in Basel, the Nova Brunnen site development in Ingenbohl, Aere in Aesch and Reinach, the C+D building sites in Regensdorf and Am Schänzli in Muttenz.

    Andrea Claudio Thöny, born 1985, is an architect ETH. After working as an architect and in real estate consulting, he joined HRS in 2018 and has been Head of Real Estate Development since 2020. His focus is on the development of special projects in the field of research and development, commercial and special uses, as well as business development, M&A and restructuring. Since 2019, he has been responsible for the Zurich Innovation Park as overall project manager. Other important projects at HRS were the New Festival Hall at BERNEXPO and the Baden East high-rise.

    Herbert Zaugg, born in 1972, is an HF architecture technician and has completed further training in real estate trusteeship and business administration. He has many years of experience in project development, realisation, refurbishment and the acquisition of development projects up to total service contracts. In his last function of many years, he developed visions and strategies and was responsible with his team on a conceptual and structural level for many acquisitions, real estate and business developments in the Bern Mittelland region. He has been heavily involved in the area of non-profit housing, but also in site development, and is particularly interested in forward-looking forms of living and working.

    Source: www.hrs.ch

  • Popety.io is expanding into German-speaking Switzerland

    Popety.io is expanding into German-speaking Switzerland

    Popety.io specializes in digital solutions for real estate acquisition. Specifically, the PropTech based in Plan-les-Ouates has developed a digital tool for collecting and processing real estate data. After successfully establishing itself in French-speaking Switzerland, Popety.io now also wants to open up the German-speaking Swiss market. To this end, Popety.io has already set up its first office in Zurich.

    The Vaudoise Insurance Group supports Popety.io in its expansion plans. “Popety.io is revolutionizing the Swiss real estate market with the help of artificial intelligence,” says Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development and M&A at Vaudoise, in a statement by the insurance company. “We keep a close eye on innovations in the real estate sector and are convinced of the development potential of the young company in the German-speaking Swiss market.”

    Two years ago, Popety.io won first prize at the Real Estate & New Technology Awards, the statement said. “With Vaudoise Insurance, we can develop further and gain credibility,” Popety.io founder Thibault Clément is quoted there as saying. The PropTech also takes part in The Big Handshake . The congress for real estate professionals will take place on June 21st in Schlieren ZH.

  • Holcim sells stores in Brazil

    Holcim sells stores in Brazil

    Holcim is selling its businesses in Brazil. As announced by the company, the company is valued at $ 1.025 billion. It comprises five cement plants, four grinding plants, six plants for aggregates and 19 ready-mixed concrete plants. The buyer is the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional. "This sale is a further step in our transformation into the world's leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions," Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. "It gives us the flexibility to invest in attractive growth opportunities."

    With this sale, the company's balance sheet will be strengthened and the level of indebtedness will be significantly reduced, according to Holcim. It took place as part of an optimization of the portfolio. The proceeds will be used for investments in the Solutions & Products division. This builds on the acquisition of Firestone Building Products , an American manufacturer of flat roof systems, at the beginning of January. This transaction was valued at $ 3.4 billion. As a first step, Holcim introduced the Firestone GacoFlex line for waterproofing roofs in Mexico.

    Despite the sale of the Brazilian business, Latin America remains a key strategic growth region for Holcim. The group recently invested in an additional clinker plant in Malagueño, Argentina, and in a new grinding plant in Yucatán, Mexico. In addition, the expansion of the company's own retail network in Disensa is ongoing.