Alantra advised Aebi Schmidt Holding on the acquisition of M-B Companies

Jun 2018

Buy-side advisory

Alantra acted as exclusive financial Alantra advised its repeat client Aebi Schmidt Holding (ASH) on the acquisition of M-B Companies (MBC). ASH is a Switzerland-based leading provider of product systems and services for the cleaning and maintenance of traffic areas and green spaces. MBC is a leading US manufacturer of snow removal and cleaning machines in the airport sector. ASH has thereby gained a foothold in the North American airport market and expanded its global position in this sector.

In addition, Alantra also advised ASH on all aspects of the transaction financing, leading to a complete refinancing of its balance sheet.

In a recent statement published by ASH, Barend Fruithof (ASH CEO) said: “We wanted to acquire a strongly positioned US business with local production and direct market access, and we have optimally succeeded in this with MBC. Gaining market access in the competitive airport sector in North America without an actual base there is very difficult given the high entry barriers. Thanks to MBC, we now have an outstanding business base with a well-established sales and service network, as well as a highly professional team with the necessary experience and in-depth knowledge of local conditions”.

MBC – is a leading manufacturer of snow removal and cleaning machines in the North American airport market. As part of a niche strategy, MBC mainly produces snow removal products for airports, pavement marking machines, multi-service vehicles and attachments, which it markets to private and public contractors. M-B Companies, based in New Holstein in Wisconsin.

ASH – is the global leader of smart product systems and services for the treatment of critical infrastructural and agricultural areas. A support and service program perfectly tailored to sophisticated customer needs offers the appropriate solution to nearly any challenge. ASH has production sites in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and the US.

With this acquisition, ASH now comprises nearly 2,000 employees and ten plants worldwide.