Capvis sells LISTA Group to GreatStar
Capvis sells its majority stake in LISTA Group, the leading European manufacturer and distributor of high-quality workspace equipment and storage systems for the industrial and service sectors. The buyer is GreatStar Group, the largest Chinese manufacturer and supplier of hand tools and forklifts.
Baar (Switzerland), June 1, 2018 – The fund Capvis Equity II LP ("Capvis"), advised by the Swiss private equity company Capvis Equity Partners AG, sells LISTA Group, headquartered in Erlen (Thurgau, Switzerland), to the Chinese GreatStar Group. LISTA manufactures workshop and warehouse furnishings with three production facilities in Switzerland, Germany and Italy and sells its products worldwide through own sales offices and distributors. Capvis acquired a majority stake in LISTA in 2006. Today, LISTA is the European leader in its segments and is excellently positioned to continue capturing the market potential. LISTA employs approximately 500 people. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Rolf Friedli, Partner of Capvis Equity Partners AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LISTA, says: "For us, GreatStar Group is an ideal strategic owner who can perfectly support LISTA on its successful growth path. We are pleased and convinced that LISTA can benefit from GreatStar’s platform and further expand its position in Europe as well as in other markets."
Capvis has considered various strategic options for the next phase of LISTA’s development and expansion. As a leading globally-operative group, GreatStar can be very supportive for the next growth phase of LISTA.
Champin Chou, majority shareholder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GreatStar Group, comments: "The acquisition of LISTA fits perfectly into our strategy. We are enthusiastic about the employees and the management of LISTA. The strength of its brand and its positioning in Europe are further success factors. LISTA enables the GreatStar Group to significantly expand its European strategy, which will also allow LISTA to open up new markets. With the excellent position of LISTA in Europe, we will also be able to expand our market and product portfolio."
About GreatStar Group
Established in 1993, GreatStar is a cross-industry integrated enterprise mainly focusing on machinery manufacturing and hand tools. The company is headquartered in Hangzhou (China). The group achieved revenues of approximately USD 3 billion and employs more than 11,000 people. GreatStar is one of the top 100 civilian-run enterprises in Zhejiang province and one of the top 500 civilian-run enterprises in China.
About Capvis
Capvis is one of the leading private equity firms in Europe. Capvis focuses on majority holdings in leading mid-sized companies. It aims to support management teams in unleashing entrepreneurial potential and achieving new levels of excellence. Since 1990 Capvis has completed more than 54 transactions with a total volume of more than EUR 5 billion. Capvis has floated ten companies on stock exchanges and has repeatedly been voted Switzerland's and also Germany's best private equity firm by the international financial press.