DPE agrees to acquire majority stake in FOGTEC

A fund managed by DPE Deutsche Private Equity has agreed to acquire a majority stake in FOGTEC, a Cologne-based maker of fire protection systems, from the company's founding shareholders and M Cap Finance Mittelstandsfonds. The deal is subject to antitrust approval. Goodwin advised DPE on the acquisition financing.

FOGTEC's management team will keep a significant shareholding and continue to run the business. Founded in 1997, the company supplies system components, sensors and controls alongside engineering, installation, maintenance and spare parts for applications including buildings, industrial facilities, data centres, tunnels, railway stations and rolling stock. It employs around 255 people and holds 102 registered patents.

DPE said it will back the company's international expansion, growth of its service and spare parts business and further spending on research, development and approvals, with selective acquisitions intended to supplement organic growth. DPE focuses on mid-sized DACH businesses and manages about €3 billion of assets.