Deloitte advises Winning Group on the acquisition of Räuchle

The Deloitte Legal team led by corporate/M&A partner Dirk Hänisch (Düsseldorf) and employment law partner Dr. Charlotte Sander (Hanover) has again advised the Czech Winning Group a.s. on an acquisition: On May 1, 2022, Winning Group a.s. will take over the business operations of insolvent automotive supplier Räuchle GmbH + Co. KG in Dietenheim from insolvency administrator Dr. Holger Leichtle.

Räuchle GmbH + Co. KG, founded in 1902, had to file for insolvency for the second time in October last year due to the massive slump in orders from customers triggered by the worldwide shortage of microchips.

In the course of restructuring, business operations are being continued at the site as part of the Winning Group with almost the entire workforce. Some of the employees were given the opportunity to transfer to a transfer company.

The acquisition is part of Winning Group's strategy to build a diversified multi-technology component supplier in the automotive supply industry, offering its customers high-quality components in the eMobility sector.

"We are very pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with the insolvency administration," said Sebastian P. Wagner, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Winning Group a.s. "This purchase is a significant step forward for the Winning Group and its growth path in the automotive industry. We would also like to thank customers and suppliers for their continued support and patience, and special thanks to the Räuchle's workforce for their contribution in supporting the transaction and ensuring the turnaround of the operation. We are confident in our ability to effectively develop the operation and create of effectively evolving operations and creating significant market share growth." The purchase illustrates Winning Group's focus on manufacturing innovation and advanced process capabilities.

"I am very satisfied that we were able to find such an excellent solution for Räuchle in such a short time," said insolvency administrator Holger Leichtle about the takeover. "Thanks to the enormous commitment and the great and goal-oriented cooperation of everyone involved, the location is now ready for the future again and the employees have a sustainable prospects."

Deloitte Legal regularly advises Winning Group on M&A transactions, most recently on the acquisition of automotive suppliers Linden GmbH and Sächsische Metall- und Kunststoffveredlungs GmbH (SMK), which was completed in early February 2022.

Advisors Winning Group:

Deloitte Legal: Dirk Hänisch (Lead, Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf), Dr. Charlotte Sander (Co-Lead), Claus Wilker, Daniela Wasseram (all Labor Law, Hanover), Horst Heinzl, Alexander Röhl (both Corporate/M&A Düsseldorf), Katharina Zickermann (Competition, Hamburg)

About Winning Group:

Winning Group a.s. of Brno, Czech Republic, is an industrial group of companies focused on "old economy" markets with the goal of creating leading companies in the automotive and construction industries. Founded in 2016, the group has grown organically and through several acquisitions in recent years to a total turnover of group companies and joint ventures of 400 million euros and employs 1,900 dedicated people worldwide.