The Franke Group is taking over the Swiss WESCO Group, thereby expanding its core competence in the field of air quality technology and strengthening its market position in Switzerland and Germany.
The Swiss Franke Group, headquartered in Aarburg, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the WESCO Group, a premium manufacturer of high-quality extractor hoods and ventilation systems in Switzerland and Germany. The completion of the transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed.
The WESCO Group's subsidiary, WESCO AG, is a recognised expert for extractor hoods and air filtration in residential areas, schools and offices in Switzerland. berbel Ablufttechnik GmbH, the group's German subsidiary, is a leading brand for extractor hoods and cooktop extractors in Germany. In the 2022/2023 financial year, the WESCO Group generated net sales of 97 million Swiss francs and employed a total of 280 people.
The WESCO Group becomes part of Franke Home Solutions, a division of the Franke Group and the world's leading provider of intelligent systems and solutions for the private kitchen.
Barbara Borra, President/CEO of Franke Home Solutions.
The acquisition of the WESCO Group offers the Franke Group the opportunity to strengthen its position in the extractor hood market and gradually achieve a leading position in Germany and Switzerland. With its WESCO and berbel brands, the WESCO Group is strongly represented as a premium provider in the Swiss and German extractor hood market and complements and strengthens Franke's offering both geographically and strategically. The berbel brand in particular is known in Germany, the largest European market, for its unique technical solutions, excellent workmanship and design.
Barbara Borra, President/CEO of Franke Home Solutions, comments: 'The acquisition of WESCO is an ideal strategic fit for us. WESCO brings advanced air quality technology as well as a strong distribution network in Switzerland and Germany to our company. By leveraging Franke's global reach and financial strength, we can support WESCO's growth both in traditional markets and internationally. In WESCO we have found a company that shares our values of quality, technology and innovation.'
Beat Ernst, Chairman of the Board and Owner of the WESCO Group.
Beat Ernst, owner of the WESCO Group, explains: 'As part of a succession plan, I decided to sell my company to Franke. Since there is no successor in our family, it was important to me to find a sustainable solution to hand over our life's work into good hands. Franke has the necessary know-how and resources to fully exploit the potential of our brands and position them even more successfully in the market.'
The Franke Group, with headquarters in Aarburg, Switzerland, is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of solutions and equipment for the domestic kitchen as well as for professional catering and coffee preparation. The company has a global presence and employs around 7,700 people in 35 countries. Net sales amount to approximately 2.42 billion Swiss francs. Franke Group is part of the Artemis Group, Switzerland.
Franke Home Solutions is a division of the Franke Group and the world's leading provider of intelligent systems and solutions for the private kitchen. The division operates worldwide and generates net sales of 932 million Swiss francs with around 4,200 employees in over 30 countries. The product range covers all areas of the kitchen and goes beyond - from preparation and cooking to cleaning and disposal to air treatment.
More information:
Franke Group
www.franke.com