Marle, the leading European orthopaedic manufacturer backed by IK VII Fund since 2016, is accelerating its development through the acquisition of SMB Medical. Marle acquired 100 percent of the shares of SMB Holding AG, the parent company of SMB Medical SA, from Swiss Patrimonium Private Equity and various minority shareholders. The transaction was closed on 27 July 2016.
Based in Sant’Antonino, Switzerland, and with 85 employees, SMB Medical is a well-established contract manufacturer, producing tailor-made forged orthopaedic implants in all available medical alloys.
Unifying the complementary companies SMB Medical and Marle secures long-term prospects of both brands. Customers will benefit from an extended product range and broader geographic presence. The enlarged group consolidates its rank amongst the top three contract manufacturers for orthopaedic implants worldwide and as the European leader offering one-stop-shop solutions for their customers across the globe.
Heimo Wabusseg, CEO of SMB Medical, is enthusiastic about the acquisition: “by integrating with Marle, SMB Medical will further grow its position in the market by expanding its customer portfolio and investing in new technologies.”
“With SMB Medical, we gain access to attractive new customer segments. SMB Medical offers high quality standards and will enrich the group with a complementary and adjacent product range,” added Antonio Gil, CEO of Marle.
“The acquisition of SMB Medical is a key milestone in the development of Marle, adding additional manufacturing capabilities and a deep understanding of the market,” said Rémi Buttiaux, Partner at IK Investment Partners.
The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
For any questions, please contact:
IK Investment Partners
Mikaela Hedborg
Director Communications & ESG
Phone: +44 77 87 573 566
About Marle
Marle has a 30-year track record serving the orthopaedic implant industry and specialises in the precision forging, machining and finishing of hip knee, shoulder, spine and extremities implants as well as instruments. It has acquired and developed a wide span of technologies dedicated to the medical industry and now offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of manufacturing services in the orthopaedics market. From a modest forging operation with 11 employees in 1978, Marle was shaped into the European leader it is today. For more information, visit www.marle.fr
About SMB Medical
SMB Medical has a history of almost 30 years in the production of orthopaedic and osteosynthesis implants in all available medical grade titanium alloys, cobalt chrome alloys and stainless steels. It uses state-of-the-art technology of forging, machining and finishing processes to develop custom solutions for its clients in the orthopaedic market. For more information, visit www.smb-medical.com
About IK Investment Partners
IK Investment Partners (“IK”) is a Pan-European private equity firm focused on investments in the Nordics, DACH region, France, and Benelux. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €9 billion of capital and invested in over 100 European companies. IK funds support companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit www.ikinvest.com
