The new phase for the family business enables succession and continues growth in the semiconductor industry
Active Capital Company (ACC) acquired the shares of Werner Lieb GmbH & Co KG (LIEB). LIEB is a German machine building company and a specialist in developing and manufacturing automation solutions with a focus on the semiconductor industry. With this next platform investment, ACC is expanding its portfolio in Germany whilst leveraging on its hands-on investment approach and strong track record in investing in machine building companies.
Expand and internationalise offering for the semiconductor industry
Hartwig Ostermeyer, partner at ACC: “We believe that LIEB has an excellent position to grow with the increasing demand for chip production capacity, especially in Europe. LIEB is standing for more than 60 years of highest German machine building expertise and has built an excellent reputation and customer base in the semiconductor industry in recent years”. ACC sees huge potential in further innovation and internationalisation. “LIEB has an impressive innovation pipeline, and we will invest in commercialisation and offering these solutions to an international customer base.”
Secure company succession of family-owned SME
Steffen Lieb, previous co-shareholder of Lieb: ”We started this process to sort out a succession plan and have found not only a trustworthy new shareholder but a true partner, who will actively support LIEB in realising its strategic ambitions.” His brother and previous co-shareholder Michael Lieb added: “We have been impressed by the technical expertise, the entrepreneurship and active approach and we are convinced that ACC is the right partner for our family-heritage.”
About LIEB
LIEB, based in Rödental, Germany, was founded in 1955 by Werner Lieb, the grandfather of the current managing partners Steffen and Michael Lieb. After the sudden death of the company founder in 1982, the company was continued by his son, Dieter Lieb, until 2006. At the beginning of 2007, he transferred the management of the company to his two sons. Core competence is to engineer and produce specialised automation machinery increasing efficiency and quality in high precision production processes. In recent years the company has specialised in automation solutions for the semiconductor industry and these machines are used by leading chip manufacturers worldwide. www.werner-lieb.de
About Active Capital Company
ACC is an independent hands-on private equity investor focused on small and medium sized enterprises in the Netherlands and Germany. ACC invests in companies active in the sectors Industry, Technical Wholesale and Business Services with revenues between € 10m and € 100m. Through a highly entrepreneurial and active approach, ACC maximises the long-term value of its investments by supporting management in the execution of value enhancing projects and providing access to its extensive partner network. ACC currently invests from its fourth fund and started its German operations in 2019 with the investment in and successful transformation of SchahlLED. ACC has offices in Amsterdam and Munich. www.activecapitalcompany.com
