TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm, became a partner of Onlineprinters in 2013. “I would like to thank TA Associates for the very successful cooperation we have enjoyed over the past three years,” said Walter Meyer, the founder of Onlineprinters.
“During this period, we set up management structures, administrative processes and further optimised production systems. In doing so, we built a strong basis for making new investments, driving growth and bolstering our position as a leader in the European e-business printing market. Bregal itself is part of a multi-generational family business. As a result, it is well-versed in the operation of mid-sized enterprises like Onlineprinters. The investor is committed to creating a long-term, collaborative partnership based on entrepreneurial values. It is this commitment that makes Bregal an ideal partner.”
As part of the transaction, Walter Meyer will move from his position as managing director of the company to the newly created Advisory Board. In this new role, he will remain an active advisor to the company. He will also continue to hold a stake in Onlineprinters. Dr Michael Fries will remain CEO of the company.
The latest acquisition is the eighth transaction (including add-on acquisitions) that Bregal Unternehmerkapital has made in the past 12 months. The company is presently investing out of a EUR 550 million fund. The most recent transactions include the acquisition of the Binder Group, an automotive supplier based in the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg, the investment in INTER-FORUM, a Leipzig-based company that provides billing and audit services to Germany’s public health insurance companies, and a minority stake in Sovendus, a Karlsruhe-based online marketing firm. Funds advised by Bregal Unternehmerkapital also hold stakes in Novem, an automotive supplier based in the Upper Palatinate region of eastern Bavaria, the direct sales company LR Health & Beauty and proALPHA, a software provider to small and mid-sized enterprises.
During the transaction, Bregal Unternehmerkapital was advised by the following firms: Kirkland & Ellis (legal), OC&C Strategy Consultants (commercial), Ernst & Young (tax), PricewaterhouseCoopers (financial) and Eccelerate (online analytics).
About Bregal Unternehmerkapital
Bregal Unternehmerkapital is part of a family-owned business that has been built up over generations. Its investment activity is free of institutional constraints, based on long-term commitment and independent of developments in the financial markets. Bregal Unternehmerkapital identifies companies with strong management teams that are regarded as market leaders or “hidden champions” in their particular segment. Flexible financing and transaction structures enable it to acquire both minority and majority stakes. In doing so, Bregal Unternehmerkapital is also able to handle complex industry spin-offs, management buy-outs and succession situations in a sensitive, non-dogmatic manner. Bregal Unternehmerkapital aims to help companies achieve a sustained improvement in sales and profitability, and provides them with capital, proven financial expertise and access to a broad network of entrepreneurs and industry experts.
About TA Associates
TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global growth private equity firms. The firm has invested in more than 460 companies around the world and has raised $24 billion in capital. With offices in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong, TA Associates leads buyouts and minority recapitalizations of profitable growth companies in the consumer, business services, financial services, healthcare and technology industries. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com.