Rubix has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire the Schäfer Technik Group, consisting of Schäfer Technik GmbH in Neu-Ulm (Germany), Schäfer Technik GmbH in Dornbirn (Austria) and C. Plüss & Co. AG in Dübendorf (Switzerland). Completion of the deal is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities and is expected to be completed by March 2019.

Schäfer Technik is a family-run business that has been offering products and solutions in the fields of linear, bearing, power transmission and conveyor technology as well as industrial supplies for more than 50 years, combined with specialist assembly and maintenance services. 

With more than 120 employees in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the company has made a name for itself across a wide range of industry sectors supporting both maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, as well as original equipment manufacturers.

Markus Schäfer, owner and managing director of Schäfer Technik Group, will remain with the company, working for Rubix as Sales Director for South-West Germany and Switzerland.

“Such an acquisition supports our Group’s strategy to expand geographically, and to enhance the specialist and technical capabilities that we can offer even further,” said Reinhard Banasch, CEO Rubix DACH.

“Schäfer Technik is a great business that has delivered impressive growth for a long time. They have done this through a relentless focus on delivering a fantastic customer experience, which makes them a great fit for Rubix. I am delighted to welcome all their employees, suppliers and customers into the family and look forward to working closely with them.”

Markus Schäfer added: “This business has been run by my family for generations, so it was important for me to think very carefully about selling to Rubix. Ultimately, the opportunity to be part of the European industry leader was too good to miss. 

“Rubix is the perfect partner for us as it shares our commitment to delivering a first-class customer experience. It’s a really positive step for us that builds on the hard work and dedication of every employee that has worked for this business and of course will continue to operate under the umbrella of the Rubix Group.”

All Schäfer Technik employees will join Rubix following the acquisition. 

Rubix is Europe’s largest supplier of industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul products and services, with more than 650 locations across 23 countries, operating across 15 brands with 8,000 employees. It was created from the merger of IPH with Brammer in 2017, following the acquisition of Brammer by Advent International. The business had combined sales of €2.2bn in 2017 and is a distributor of bearings, power transmission and automation, fluid power, machining, assembly, tools and protective equipment. Key market brands include: BiesheuvelTechniek, Brammer, Buck & Hickman, Giner, Julsa, Minetti, Montalpina, Novotech, Orexad, Robod, Syresa and Zitec.