VR Equitypartner acquires stake in sanitary trade specialist MEGABAD – Gottfried Stiller Group

A team led by Dr. Rainer Herschlein and Benedikt Raisch advised VR Equitypartner GmbH on the acquisition of a stake in the traditional Cologne-based company Gottfried Stiller / MEGABAD. Gottfried Stiller group is using this transaction to position itself for future national and international growth. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, but is expected to close in Q3/2019.

Gottfried Stiller group was founded more than 85 years ago and is one of the first suppliers of sanitary and heating products in Cologne. The core of its business is online provider MEGABAD.com, the first online store launched in its segment in 2003, now one of the leading German online sanitation retailers. Gottfried Stiller group employs some 200 people and sells products of all major manufacturers as well as high-quality private labels.

VR Equitypartner GmbH is one of the leading private equity financiers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company supports medium-sized family businesses in a goal-oriented manner and with experience in the strategic solution of complex financing issues. VR Equitypartner offers majority and minority shareholdings as well as mezzanine financing. As a subsidiary of DZ BANK, the company consistently prioritizes the sustainability of corporate development over a short-term exit philosophy. VR Equitypartner’s portfolio currently comprises some 100 investments with an investment volume of EUR 500 million.

The current acquisition is already the third investment by VR Equitypartner GmbH this year advised by the team led by Dr. Rainer Herschlein and Benedikt Raisch.

Counsel to VR Equitypartner GmbH
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Rainer Herschlein, LL.M.
Benedikt Raisch (both Lead, both M&A), both Stuttgart
Fabian G. Gaffron (Tax), Hamburg
Michael Neises (Finance), Frankfurt
Dr. Sascha Schewiola (Employment), Cologne
Dr. Markus Klinger,
Dr. Felix Drefs (both IP/IT), both Stuttgart
Dr. Ruth Schneider (Commercial), Munich
Cornelia Schwizler,
Charlotte Schmitt, LL.M. (both Corporate/M&A), both Stuttgart