The company has so far flourished almost in secret. Now it is taking the next step in growth and changing its ownership structure. The Holzhausen specialist for tailor-made intralogistics systems Schwingshandl automation technology wants to double its sales to 70 to 80 million euros and to around 200 employees by 2028.
To do this, the owners Thomas Schwingshandl and Enrico Larcher brought in capital-rich partners. On Wednesday, the workforce was informed that the Hamburg investor IK Partners was taking over the majority in Schwingshandl, but the two bosses retained a blocking minority and remained managing directors. For this purpose, three employees will be involved in the company.
“We are not selling the shares because we are doing poorly, but because we are doing very well and we want to continue to grow,” says company founder Schwingshandl, who will be 60 in September. The company is a supplier for general contractors such as TGW, where the two bosses once worked. As the former head of development at TGW, Schwingshandl became self-employed in 2003. Since then, the company has grown by an average of 17 percent per year.
Branch in USA
The company, which was founded as an engineering office, specializes in mechanical solutions in intralogistics and wants to grow with its customers. To this end, it is also necessary to establish branches in the USA, for example.
“We want to become niche world champions,” says Schwingshandl, who is looking for designers, sales people and project managers for growth.
Doubling the size is realistic, which would mean growth in line with the industry average. And because they are not involved in the weakening e-commerce, there is no dent in sight. The largest orders were also received in times that others experienced in crisis mode: during the corona pandemic, logistics for Doha Airport; and now, at a time of automotive crisis, a Porsche order is pending.
Author
Dietmar Mascher
Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Head of Business Editor
Dietmar Mascher
