mynth
05/2018MajorityLBO

Motion Equity Partners takes majority stake in Holweg Weber

UNITED STATES Industrial Equipment / Special Machinery / Robotics & Automation EV €50–150M

Context

Holweg Weber has been acquired by Motion Equity Partners in a leveraged buyout that concludes a competitive process overseen by UBS and involves the exit of Azulis Capital and several minority shareholders. The transaction brings together Motion Equity Partners, its limited partner Arkéa Capital and the incumbent management team, which reinvests the majority of its cash‑out to retain operational continuity. European Capital structures a unitranche facility of approximately thirty‑five to forty million euros to finance the purchase price and provides an additional growth‑capital line intended to fund future bolt‑on acquisitions. The acquisition aligns with Motion Equity Partners' strategy to deepen its exposure to specialized industrial equipment manufacturers that serve the packaging supply chain. By adding Holweg Weber, the firm gains a platform with established engineering capabilities, a diversified European customer base and a track record of incremental revenue growth through geographic expansion. The partnership with Arkéa Capital supplies complementary financial resources and banking expertise, while the continued involvement of Holweg Weber's management ensures alignment of strategic objectives and execution discipline. Post‑closing, the combined ownership structure is expected to accelerate Holweg Weber's expansion into new markets, particularly in Asia, and to broaden its product offering toward downstream distribution applications. The unitranche financing and dedicated growth line will support targeted bolt‑on transactions, technology upgrades and the scaling of service contracts, thereby enhancing the company's competitive positioning and generating incremental cash flow for debt repayment and shareholder returns.

In the past, Holweg Weber was acquired by Azulis Capital in 2012 as part of its expansion strategy.

Holweg Weber, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2017, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5x–12x.

-> Deep-dive in Industry & Manufacturing market trends

Target

Holweg Weber designs and manufactures machinery for the production of paper-based packaging. The product portfolio includes converting lines, die‑cutters, flexo printers and finishing equipment that enable converters to transform raw paper into cartons, trays and other secondary packaging formats. Customers comprise multinational packaging converters, regional paper mills and specialized contract manufacturers that require high‑speed, low‑waste solutions for food, beverage and consumer goods sectors. The company sells equipment on a project basis, providing engineering, installation and after‑sales service under long‑term maintenance contracts that generate recurring revenue streams. Founded in the United States, the firm expanded its production footprint to Germany and Spain during the 2010s, establishing localized engineering teams and service hubs to support European clients. Its engineering approach combines proprietary tooling designs with modular automation platforms that can be adapted to a range of paper grades and product dimensions. Holweg Weber sources core components from a network of Tier‑1 suppliers in Europe and North America, integrating them into customized lines that meet specific customer throughput and quality specifications. The business model emphasizes upfront equipment sales complemented by service agreements that extend the economic relationship beyond installation.

Ent. Value

€50–150M

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

1x–3x

EV / EBITDA

5x–12x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2017
€50–100M
€5–25M
[members only]
2016
€50–100M
€5–25M
[members only]

Other operations with Holweg Weber

Other operations with Holweg Weber
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
07/2022AMBIENTAHOLWEG WEBERUNITED STATESRobotics & Automation
09/2012AZULIS CAPITALHOLWEG WEBERUNITED STATESRobotics & Automation

Other operations with Motion Equity Partners

Other operations with Motion Equity Partners
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
06/2026MOTION EQUITY PARTNERSPOLARISFRANCENutrition & Dietary Supplements
10/2023MOTION EQUITY PARTNERSBANOOKFRANCECRO / Clinical Trials
10/2022MOTION EQUITY PARTNERSTOURNAIREFRANCEMetal Packaging

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04/2017AMETEKMOCONUNITED STATESInstrumentation & Measurement
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04/2017GENUINE PARTS COMPANYEMPIRE WIRE AND SUPPLYUNITED STATESCabling & Connectivity
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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €50–150M

Revenue range: €50–100M

EBITDA range: €5–25M

EV/Revenue range: 1x - 3x

EV/EBITDA range: 5x - 12x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Holweg Weber by Motion Equity Partners are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Target: holweg weber

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in Holweg Weber, an American company specialised in Special Machinery, by Motion Equity Partners in 2018, structured as a leveraged buyout (LBO). This followed a prior holding cycle initiated by Azulis Capital in September 2012, before ownership was subsequently transferred to Ambienta in July 2022 (see dedicated deal pages for details).

How was the acquisition of Holweg Weber by Motion Equity Partners valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the €50–150M band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the 5x - 12x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 1x - 3x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were Holweg Weber’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Holweg Weber generated annual revenue estimated in the €50–100M range and EBITDA in the €5–25M bracket (FY 2017). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Transaction data and operational intelligence were compiled from independent financial press reporting by specialized M&A publications.

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