Franke is New Shareholder at Duravit: FGvW advises Majority Shareholder of Duravit AG

As of 29 March 2016, the Swiss Franke Group has acquired a 25% interest in Duravit, the German manufacturer of designer bathrooms and wellness systems with headquarters in Hornberg, Germany. The participation lays the foundation for establishing a strategic partnership in the bathroom and kitchen area. The bundling of common strengths enables the partners to be even more successful in setting lifestyle trends for better quality of life in bathrooms and kitchens. This will further strengthen their international market position.

Duravit’s  former minority shareholder Keramik Laufen AG, which belongs to the Spanish Roca Corporación Empresarial SA had sold its shares effective as of 31 December 2015. Subject to approval from the competition authorities, Franke will take over the interest. The parties agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.

Duravit was founded in 1817 and specializes in sanitary ware, bathroom furniture, shower and bathtubs, spa systems and shower toilets. Duravit has 11 production sites worldwide and approximately 5,800 employees. In 2015 it generated net sales in the amount of 432 million euros. You can find further information at www.duravit.de.

Franke belongs to the Artemis Group and is a leading global provider of solutions and equipment for domestic kitchens, private bathrooms, semi-/public washrooms, professional food service, coffee preparation and beverage deliveries.  The group has approximately 9,000 employees in 37 countries and generates sales in the amount of approximately 2.1 billion Swiss francs. You can find further information at www.franke.com.

Our Freiburg office advised and represented Duravit AG’s majority shareholders in relation to the acquisition of shares in Roca and the resale to the Franke Group. The following of our lawyers were involved: Barbara Mayer (partner, lead, corporate / M&A), Stefan Lammel (partner, corporate, financing), Jan Henning Martens (associate, corporate)

Contact: Barbara Mayer