Press Release

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised Frankfurt-based VR Equitypartner GmbH on acquiring the majority of refrigeration and air conditioning specialist Kälte-Eckert GmbH and supported the transaction.

Kälte-Eckert has an excellent market position in special equipment construction for commercial refrigeration systems with a focus on large kitchens, industrial cooling, and air conditioning. The company, founded in 1966, is now managed by the company founder’s two sons, Michael Eckert and Holger Eckert. The brothers will remain general managers of Kälte-Eckert after the transaction and will continue to hold a significant share in the company.

VR Equitypartner is one of the leading private equity financiers in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. VR Equitypartner supports medium-sized family-owned companies on a target-driven basis and has decades of experience in solving complex strategic financing issues. VR Equitypartner consistently prioritizes the sustainability of corporate development ahead of a short-term exit philosophy.

The joint growth strategy of VR Equitypartner and Kälte-Eckert for the company includes both the selective expansion of the product range and the examination of new sites and corporate acquisitions. In this context, the number of specialist professionals is supposed to be increased and the organizational structure adapted to the growing size of the company.

VR Equitypartner was again advised by Dr. Rainer Herschlein and his team of lawyers on the transaction. The advice included the legal and tax structuring of the transaction, as well as the design and negotiation of all contracts as part of the transaction, in particular the purchase contract and the investment contract.

Counsel to VR Equitypartner GmbH
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Rainer Herschlein, LL.M. (Lead, Corporate) Stuttgart,
Fabian G. Gaffron (Tax) Hamburg,
Benedikt Raisch (Corporate, M&A),
Dr. Antonia Stein (Employment),
Lena Ziegler (Corporate, M&A), all Stuttgart