mynth
← DATABASE
06/2022

WENGER MANUFACTURING acquired by MAREL

UNITED STATES Industrial Equipment / Process Engineering & Production Lines / Food & Beverage Lines EV 500M - 1.5b USD

Context

The transaction transitions Wenger into a publicly traded corporate structure, establishing a standalone fourth operating segment focused on non-meat alternative proteins. This ownership shift moves the asset from private hands into a scaled platform designed to accelerate international capital deployment and bypass capacity constraints in the target's core manufacturing operations. Post-acquisition execution centers on expanding factory footprints in North America to meet unfulfilled processing demand, alongside the integration of Marel’s global digital service network to institutionalize the target's high-margin aftermarket business. Commercial synergies will be driven by cross-selling Marel's downstream technologies, including sorting and thermal treatment systems, directly into Wenger's established upstream customer installations, while management continuity ensures operational stability throughout the integration phase.

The acquisition of Wenger Manufacturing is part of the growth strategy of Marel, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably Valka in 2021.

WENGER MANUFACTURING, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2022, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 15.8x, representing a premium to the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.6x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

-> Deep-dive in Industry & Manufacturing market trends

Target

Wenger operates as an industrial engineering and manufacturing firm focused on extrusion and thermal drying solutions for the pet food, aquaculture, and plant-based protein sectors. Revenue generation is split between the sale of high-specification primary processing machinery and a high-margin aftermarket service model, with maintenance contracts and wear-and-tear parts replacement representing over 40% of total turnover. The customer base spans multi-national pet food processors and early-stage meat-alternative producers, with procurement cycles tied directly to global processing capacity utilization and technical requirements for precise texture control. Operating out of specialized manufacturing facilities in the United States, Brazil, and Denmark, the business relies on long-standing client relationships where high switching costs protect the installed base, while demand is structurally insulated by secular volume growth in consumer premium pet food markets.

Ent. Value

LOGIN

Equity Value

LOGIN

Multiples

FREE VIEW

EV / Revenue

2.8x

FREE VIEW

EV / EBITDA

15.8x

EV / EBIT

LOGIN

Historical Financials (USD)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2022
LOGIN
LOGIN
LOGIN
2021
LOGIN
LOGIN
LOGIN

Similar deals in Industry & Manufacturing

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sector, Deal Context)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
07/2022SPIRAX-SARCO ENGINEERINGVULCANICFRANCEIndustrial Equipment

The acquisition of Vulcanic by Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc represents a transformational expansion for the group’s Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) business, specifically targeting the European market. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "technology-decarbonization" play, merging Vulcanic’s industry-leading technical operational depth in bespoke electric heating with Spirax-Sarco’s established global scale and fluid control infrastructure. This structural alignment provides the organization with the scientific talent and logistical hardware required to address the increasing demand for industrial electrification among European customers

07/2022HILLENBRANDLINXIS GROUPFRANCEIndustrial Equipment

IK Partners agreed to sell Linxis Group to Hillenbrand The transaction represents a full exit for the sponsor, which had initially acquired the group from Cerea Partners in July 2017 and subsequently disposed of its dairy‑focused division to the same seller later in 2018. The strategic rationale is anchored in industrial and geographic complementarity. Linxis brings a strong position in food‑processing and bakery equipment, with a global footprint that now includes roughly 40% of sales in North America and just under 45% in Europe

04/2022VALMETNELESFINLANDIndustrial Equipment

The merger between the two Finnish industrial leaders represents a definitive step in creating a globally dominant platform for process technologies and automation. By integrating a leading flow control specialist as a new business line, the group significantly enhances its multidisciplinary offering to the pulp, paper, and energy industries. The strategic rationale centers on the creation of a unique, end-to-end portfolio that combines process technology, automation, and flow control solutions under a single operational umbrella

04/2022LONE STAR FUNDSSPX FLOWUNITED STATESIndustrial Equipment

SPX Flow has been acquired by Lone Star Funds. The transaction marks the transition of SPX FLOW from a publicly-traded entity to a private subsidiary of Lone Star. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the acceleration of the target’s long-term growth initiatives within a private equity framework, allowing for a concentrated focus on operational actions and product quality without the constraints of public market volatility. By integrating the target’s innovative product portfolio with the acquirer’s financial rigor, the partnership aims to solidify the organization's leadership in the nutrition and health infrastructure segments

01/2022EDDYFI TECHNOLOGIESZETECUNITED STATESIndustrial Equipment

Eddyfi/NDT has finalized the acquisition of Zetec from Roper Technologies, a maneuver designed to fundamentally strengthen the group’s competitive positioning in the global NDT market. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "market-unification" play, merging the target's five decades of technical operational depth with the group's modern, growth-oriented diagnostic ecosystem. This fusion effectively creates a specialized powerhouse in the testing and measurement arena, providing the organization with the scientific talent and hardware portfolio required to address the increasing complexity of infrastructure monitoring

01/2022ENDEAVOURMETALMECCANICA SPAGGIARIITALYIndustrial Equipment

Endeavour has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Metalmeccanica Spaggiari from the founding family. The transaction facilitates a generational transition for the company. While the family members sold a significant portion of their holdings, the deal structure typically allows for some reinvestment or transition period. The new owners aim to professionalize the management and optimize operations to improve profitability, which currently stands at a modest level relative to revenues

12/2021ATS CORPORATIONSP INDUSTRIESUNITED STATESIndustrial Equipment

ATS Automation has finalized the acquisition of SP Industries from Harbour Group, a maneuver designed to fundamentally expand the group's capabilities in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "portfolio-expansion" play, merging the target's industry-leading aseptic and non-aseptic lyophilization technology with the group’s established global leadership in automated manufacturing solutions. This fusion effectively creates a specialized powerhouse in the bioprocessing equipment arena, providing the organization with the high-precision hardware required to address the increasing complexity of drug development and fill-finish operations

11/2021PARTNERS GROUPDIVERSITECHUNITED STATESIndustrial Equipment

DiversiTech has been acquired by Partners Group to expand the private markets firm's exposure to the HVAC/R components sector and to leverage the target's established distribution network. The transaction follows a period of rapid growth for DiversiTech, during which it doubled its SKU count, invested heavily in manufacturing and digital systems, and completed multiple brand acquisitions, positioning it as a sizable supplier with a diversified product portfolio. Partners Group and existing management will become the largest shareholders, while Permira retains a minority interest, and the deal is expected to close in December 2021 pending customary approvals

08/2021NORDSON CORPORATIONNDC TECHNOLOGIESUNITED STATESIndustrial Equipment

Nordson Corporation has finalized the acquisition of NDC Technologies from Spectris plc, an operation designed to fundamentally broaden the group's test and inspection platform. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "market-diversification" play, merging the target's technical operational depth in in-line measurement with the group’s established global sales and service infrastructure. This fusion effectively creates a specialized powerhouse in the process control arena, providing the organization with the necessary technical resources to address mission-critical needs in new industry verticals such as film extrusion, converting, and energy storage

07/2021CAPZANOVARCFRANCEIndustrial Equipment

Capza acquired a minority stake in Novarc, replacing Amundi Private Equity Funds. The historical minority investors (Bpifrance, BNP Paribas Developpement, and CASRA Capital) reinvested alongside Capza. The transaction was structured to leave the founder family with a commanding majority (~75% of capital).

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b USD

Revenue range: 100M - 200M USD

EBITDA range: 25M - 50M USD

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

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Target: wenger manufacturing