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Erfolgreicher Gründer, Investor und Wegbereiter – 
Ihr Partner für Wachstum und Innovation!

Your Partner for M&A and MBO with Expertise and Vision

With my extensive experience in leadership, restructuring, and strategic business development, I am a reliable partner for M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) and MBO (Management Buy-Out) projects. Having worked extensively on the seller's side, I see this as my calling. These transactions are not just economic milestones but also strategic decisions that shape the future of a business—whether for start-ups aiming for growth or established companies seeking a turnaround.

Your Strategic Guide for Change and Growth

M&A and MBO processes require strategic thinking, operational excellence, and strong negotiation skills. With over 25 years of experience as CEO, CTO, and COO, I bring the expertise to tackle challenges and ensure sustainable success.

In my career, I have successfully led two M&A projects and one complex MBO initiative, including:

  • Step-by-step sale of the ASP Group to strategic investor HAI Group (Hammerer Industries - 2,000 employees, €1 billion revenue), enabling stable integration into an international corporation and sustainable growth.

  • Sale of shares in ProKon Alu-Tec GmbH to financial investor Schröder Industrie Holding (Brilon - 1,000 employees, DM 1 billion revenue), ensuring a seamless transition and business development.

  • Management Buy-Out (MBO) to rescue and re-establish the ASP Group after the insolvency of Schröder Industrie Holding, where I took full technical and organizational responsibility, successfully building two new sites.

Experience and Network: The Keys to Success

A successful M&A project requires not only technical knowledge but also strategic foresight and a robust network. With over 25 years of experience and a track record of successful M&A projects, I provide the expertise, negotiation skills, and operational excellence to guide your transaction from planning to seamless integration.

M&A: Opportunities and Challenges

Mergers & Acquisitions create immense opportunities for businesses:

  • For Start-ups: Access to capital, markets, and resources to accelerate growth and scale innovations.

  • For Troubled Companies: Strategic partnerships or sales bring stability and new perspectives.

  • For Growing Businesses: Opportunities to enter new markets, expand portfolios, and secure market shares.

However, achieving a successful outcome involves addressing significant challenges:

  • Processes and Structures: A structured due diligence process, precise valuations, and well-managed negotiations are critical.

  • Risks and Opportunities: M&A projects entail risks—cultural integration, technological adjustments, or financial pressures—but also offer immense value-creation and synergy opportunities.

  • Network and Expertise: A strong network of investors, industry experts, and legal advisors is crucial to finding the right partners and conditions.

With my experience in national and international M&A projects, such as securing a strategic investor for the ASP Group, I bring the vision, negotiation skills, and network to ensure smooth execution.

MBO: Driving Growth from Within

A Management Buy-Out is more than a change in ownership—it is an opportunity to reinvigorate a company from within. Having been actively involved in MBO processes, like the re-establishment of the ASP Group, I understand the critical levers for a successful buy-out:

  • Strategic Planning: Identifying key assets and areas to build a foundation for a restart.

  • Financing: Developing sustainable financing models with private and institutional investors.

  • Implementation: Integrating teams, systems, and processes into the new structure.

MBOs require not only a deep understanding of company structures but also the courage and conviction to make transformative decisions.

The M&A Process: A Structured Path to Success

An M&A project is a complex, multi-layered transaction that demands strategic planning, thorough analysis, and careful execution. Key stages include:

  1. Strategic Preparation:

    • Defining clear goals: Growth, market entry, knowledge acquisition, or crisis resolution.

    • Identifying targets: Finding potential partners that align strategically and culturally.

    • Preliminary review: Ensuring potential targets meet the desired criteria.

  2. Planning and Negotiation:

    • Letter of Intent (LOI): Outlining basic terms and intentions.

    • Negotiating terms: Agreeing on price, payment conditions, and transaction frameworks.

  3. Due Diligence:

    • Financial: Analyzing balance sheets, cash flow, and financial health.

    • Legal: Reviewing contracts, obligations, and potential risks.

    • Operational: Evaluating processes, technology, and supply chains.

    • Cultural: Assessing company culture to minimize integration risks.

  4. Decision and Signing:

    • Final adjustments: Refining terms based on due diligence findings.

    • Signing contracts: Completing the purchase or merger agreements.

    • Regulatory approvals: Securing required permissions.

  5. Integration and Implementation:

    • Developing integration strategies: Planning how to merge teams and systems.

    • Aligning processes: Creating harmonized workflows for efficiency.

    • Monitoring progress: Continuously tracking integration success.

Opportunities and Risks: A Balanced Perspective

M&A projects offer vast growth potential but come with significant challenges. Success depends on precise planning, a thorough due diligence process, and a well-thought-out integration strategy.

With my experience in leading complex M&A transactions, including the ASP Group's integration into an international corporation, I provide the guidance necessary to navigate this intricate process. Whether it's accessing new markets, capital, or optimizing structures, my expertise ensures your project achieves its full potential.

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© 2019 STEFAN LÖCKER

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