Aurelius Mittelstandskapital (Aurelius), the SME focussed investment arm of Aurelius Group, has acquired the privately owned company, Emsdetten-based ARBAprocessing Group for an undisclosed sum.
ARBAprocessing Group is a leading European manufacturer of containers and collection vehicles for the dairy industry. Long-serving Managing Director and majority shareholder Reinhold Barlian will step down with immediate effect. The transaction is subject to the completion of regulatory clearances.
The ARBAprocessing Group consists of two operating units:
Schwarte and Milfor brands – This unit engineers, designs and produces storage and process containers for the dairy, food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals industries. Working out of five locations and production facilities in Germany, Austria and Poland, the unit has commercial operations in almost every European market. The company generated expanding revenues of approximately €50 million in FY 2014.
Schwarte and Jansky brands: This unit manufactures state-of-the-art milk collection vehicles and trailers; it provides a full-service from development and production to after-sales servicing and repair work. It is the market leading manufacturer of collection vehicles for the dairy industry in Germany.
Reinhold Barlian has worked hard to drive the successful expansion of the Company over recent years and has managed to successfully transfer the operational management of the business to an experienced team who will continue to be integral in the running of ARBAprocessing going forward.
Reinhold Barlian, founder and majority shareholder of ARBAprocessing Group, says: “This deal represents a succession arrangement that secures a bright future for the company and for our workforce; it will ensure that the progress we’ve made together over the last few years will be further built upon. Aurelius has demonstrated that it believes in the strategic direction we’ve been taking the company and with its extensive experience and strong operational support, we believe that Aurelius is the ideal partner for ARBAprocessing.”
Carsten Abdel Hadi (pictured), Managing Director of Aurelius Mittelstandskapital, adds: “We’re delighted that Mr Barlian – well-known as a prestigious businessman – has chosen to partner with Aurelius Mittelstandskapital. We look forward to working with the Company’s experienced management team to support the future growth and development of ARBAprocessing Group.
“Aurelius will support the future growth of the business, focusing on expansion of its existing market position as well as entry into new European regions and industries. Our Mittelstandskapital team is well placed to contribute proven operational expertise, as well as an invaluable business network that will open up further development opportunities for ARBAprocessing Group.”
