• All legal requirements for closing of the acquisition met
• Dr. Arno Haselhorst hands over CEO role to Robert Roiger
• New management team includes CFO Jan C. Maser and COO Stefan Bultmann
The complete takeover of the IFA Group by the owner-managed Munich-based industry group AEQUITA, announced at the end of December 2021, has been formally completed (closing). In addition to the required approval by the German Federal Cartel Office, all other closing conditions for the takeover have also been met. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the transformation of the IFA Group. AEQUITA will consistently continue this course and actively accompany the IFA Group on its growth path. As part of this process, all of the approximately 2,600 employees at all locations will be taken over.
The transformation of the past years has enabled the IFA Group to set the course for sustainable growth. With the completion of the acquisition, Dr. Arno Haselhorst will end his mandate as CEO and CRO. The new CEO will be Robert Roiger, a highly experienced executive in technology-driven companies with a particular focus on the automotive supply industry. Also new to the management team are Jan C. Maser as CFO and Stefan Bultmann as COO.
"I am very pleased that we have succeeded in securing the future of the IFA Group. In the course of the transformation process, we have made substantial progress over the past years, which now allows the company to continue on its growth path under new ownership. I would like to thank all employees, customers and business partners for their close cooperation during this intensive period. With AEQUITA as its new owner, the IFA Group will further strengthen its market position," said Dr. Arno Haselhorst, CEO and CRO of the IFA Group.
"Since the signing at the end of December, we have worked with the stakeholders of the IFA Group to develop a sustainable growth concept. For this, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all involved. IFA is the only German supplier in the global top group of this demanding market segment and convinces with technology, quality, and efficiency. We are therefore very proud that IFA is now part of the AEQUITA Group. The new management under the leadership of Robert Roiger will further expand the internationally leading position of the IFA Group in the coming years," said Christoph Himmel, AEQUITA's Managing Partner responsible for the transaction.
"The IFA Group has been aligning its portfolio with the e-mobility trend for some time, i.e., focusing on the transformation from longitudinal to lateral shafting. As part of the acquisition by AEQUITA, IFA has won the largest sideshaft order in the company's history, thus impressively demonstrating its innovative capabilities. Even more reason for me to look forward to driving the transformation and growth course together with my new colleagues on the management board and the entire workforce, and to developing first-class technological solutions for our customers," said Robert Roiger, future CEO of the IFA Group and partner of AEQUITA.
About the IFA Group:
The IFA Group is an automotive supplier with seven development and production sites worldwide. With a turnover of half a billion euros, IFA is one of the top 50 companies in the German supplier industry. With 2,600 employees at its sites in Haldensleben, Stuttgart, Hanau, Ujazd (Poland), Charleston/South Carolina (USA), Novi/Michigan (USA) and Shanghai (China), IFA develops and produces longitudinal shafts, sideshafts, joints and components for well-known automotive manufacturers. Customers include BMW, Ferrari, Ford, GM, Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen. In addition, the company provides development services in the field of driveline technology on behalf of the industry. Forward-looking research and sustainable development are among the success factors. IFA was founded in 1959 as the state-owned industrial combine for vehicle construction "IFA-Gelenkwelle" and privatized in 1992.
About AEQUITA:
AEQUITA is an owner-managed industrial group based in Munich, Germany, which invests in special situations such as group spin-offs, succession and transformation situations in Europe. Based on a solid capital base, entrepreneurial expertise and experience as well as a partnership approach, the focus is on the acquisition and long-term value development of companies that can benefit from AEQUITA's operational commitment. To achieve sustainable growth, AEQUITA brings a fresh view and pro-found know-how to all areas of the business, such as revenue development, production optimization and efficiency improvement measures. AEQUITA contributes not only capital, but more importantly the vision, inspiration and drive to reach the next level of development and success story of their businesses.
The IFA group is a rapidly growing automotive supplier. Drive shafts and joints are our core business. We are within the global Top 3 among drive shaft makers. IFA delivers to all car makers in Europe, Asia and North America.
Besides in our headquarters in Haldensleben (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany), IFA is located with sales, engineering or production in Stuttgart, Hanau (Germany), Novi (USA), Charleston (USA), Shanghai (China) and Ujazd (Poland). IFA is present in the largest car markets in the world.
Our customers are the leading suppliers of four-wheel and rear-wheel driven vehicles. These drives dominate the premium segment. We offer our customers in their proximity competent partners in sales, project management, engineering, validation, quality management and production. We are right where our customers need us.
At IFA, customer requirements are surveyed and shared globally. Our platform engineering team develops solutions for any task at hand, using the most advanced simulation tools available. IFA’s customer application and product validation implement solutions with the launch teams of the plants within the markets relevant to our customers.