Kloepfel Corporate Finance exclusively advised the founder of Brüning Group on the strategic partnership with CIC Capital and PESCA Equity Partners.

Munich, March 2019 – Kloepfel Corporate Finance GmbH has acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholder of the Brüning Group on the sale of a significant minority stake to CIC Capital, the international private equity arm of the Crédit Mutuel Group, and PESCA Equity Partners (PESCA) in an owner buy-out. Founder and CEO Arnd Brüning remains majority shareholder and will continue to manage the Group. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and hence, expected to close in April 2019.

The Brüning Group comprises the individual companies Brüning-Euromulch GmbH, Brüning-Megawatt GmbH, Brüning-Logistik GmbH, Brüning International GmbH and Gebrüder Meyer GmbH. Positioned as a supply and disposal company, the Group established itself, inter alia, as a market leader in the supply of biomass heating and power plants. The Brüning Group is a pan-European service provider that structures and pools the flow of energy-yielding bulk materials, mainly woody raw material, for both thermal and material recycling (e.g. between utilities, wood-based industry, gardening and landscaping companies).

The Brüning Group distinguishes itself by a comprehensive and unique product portfolio of mulch and bark products, pellets, wood chips, sawdust and waste wood on the one hand as well as by its reliable disposal and supply services to its customers and suppliers supported by its own logistic on the other hand. As a result, revenues exceeded EUR 90 million in 2018.

Arnd Brüning, so far sole shareholder of the Brüning Group, had the objective to ensure the independence of the business by securing the Group’s position in a promising market in the long term and expanding into new geographical regions. Based on this objective, Arnd Brüning decided to get equity investors on board who can provide the financial resources as well as the network to tap organic and external growth. Arnd Brüning together with the management team, CIC Capital and PESCA as partners plans to take the Company to the next level.

Arnd Brüning, emphasised: “With CIC Capital and PESCA Equity Partners we have found strong partners for the future, who will accompany and actively support the growth path of the business. The initial discussions have already shown that our vision in regards to the strategic direction of the company are in line and the chemistry between the people involved matches. I am very much looking forward to the cooperation and strategic dialogue with our new partners”.

Kloepfel Corporate Finance initiated the transaction and acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Brüning Group. The international structured bidding process, involving both private equity and strategic investors, served to find the right partner for the founder, who not only shares his vision, but also accompanies and supports the company’s further international growth path.