Argos Wityu acquires stake in aktivoptik Group

Frank­furt a. M. - Argos Wityu acqui­res stake in aktiv­op­tik Group. The majo­rity stake in aktiv­op­tik Group (aktiv­op­tik) was acqui­red as part of a succes­sion plan by Argos Wityu through its Fund VII. King & Wood Malle­sons (KWM) advi­sed Argos Wityu on the acqui­si­tion of a majo­rity stake in aktiv­op­tik Group, the fifth largest chain of opti­ci­ans and acou­sti­ci­ans in Germany.

Rolf Schnei­der, foun­der and previous majo­rity share­hol­der of aktiv­op­tik, will conti­nue to hold a mino­rity stake and will conti­nue in his role as CEO to ensure conti­nuity. The tran­sac­tion is still subject to anti­trust clearance.

Foun­ded in 1989 asArgos Sodi­tic, ArgosWityu is an inde­pen­dent, pan-Euro­­pean invest­ment firm focu­sed on manage­ment buy-outs, buy-ins and spin-offs of small and medium-sized compa­nies with an enter­prise value between €20 and €200 million. The German office is loca­ted in Frank­furt a. Main. With its invest­ment in aktiv­op­tik, Argos Wityu is now conti­nuing the invest­ment approach of sustainable value enhance­ment through stra­te­gic and opera­tio­nal impro­ve­ments as well as growth, which it has pursued since its foun­da­tion, in Germany as well. https://argos.wityu.fund/

About aktiv­op­tik
aktiv­op­tik, based in Bad Kreuz­nach, Germany, was foun­ded in 1989. The group, which has grown at an above-average rate compared to the opti­ci­ans’ indus­try as a whole since the foun­ding of its first store, is now one of the five largest opti­ci­ans’ and acou­sti­ci­ans’ chains in Germany, with 76 loca­ti­ons, around 560 employees and most recently repor­ted annual sales of around 50 million euros. The proven busi­ness model of aktiv­op­tik forms the basis for conti­nuing the successful growth course of the past 30 years with the new majo­rity share­hol­der Argos Wityu.

Advi­sor to Argos Wityu: King & Wood Mallesons
Dr. Michael Roos (Part­ner), Markus Herz (Part­ner), Floris Schil­ling (Asso­ciate), Dr. Laura Schu­mann (Asso­ciate), Dr. Katrin Thoma (Asso­ciate) (all M&A, Corpo­rate), Dr. Johan­nes Reit­zel (Coun­sel, Labor Law)

Markus Hill (Part­ner, Tax and Structuring)