MAUSER Group

MAUSER Group is a leading producer of industrial packaging, with around 3,500 employees and revenues of more than €900 million in 2006. Its largest business is plastic packaging, followed by metal and intermediate bulk container (IBC) packaging, reconditioning services and machinery for packaging production. A buy-and-build strategy has extended the MAUSER Group’s international reach and multiplied its sales volume. The Group operates production facilities in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia and its network covers 32 countries worldwide.

In June 2007, Dubai International Capital Private Equity acquired MAUSER from One Equity Partners, valuing the business at €850 million. The new shareholder announced that it would make expansion into Asian markets a priority. Skillcapital was commissioned to identify and recruit a Chairman who could support the Asian growth strategy. In addition to a track record in Asia, the ideal candidate would have a background in global industrial businesses, and experience of turnaround situations as well as private equity ownership.

We performed a comprehensive global search focusing on global packaging businesses and the chemicals and logistics industries, including all private equity transactions in these areas. We looked at the breakdown of revenues and the performance of each business, particularly in Asia. Our search led us to Dr. Horst Heidsieck, a distinguished German industrialist who had recently been CEO of Demag Holding, a portfolio of businesses acquired by KKR from Siemens. Dr. Heidsieck became Chairman of the Supervisory Board of MAUSER Group in January 2008.

List of all case studies