FGvW advises Knauf on its takeover of Opitz Holzbau

At the turn of the year, Gebr. Knauf KG, with a registered office in Iphofen Opitz Holzbau GmbH & Co. KG took over all shares in the family company from Neuruppin. The globally active manufacturer for construction material and construction systems thereby strengthens its commitment in the future market of lightweight construction. Opitz Holzbau specializes in the production and marketing of pre-made lightweight construction elements, above all timber panel components. The family company is controlling the company succession with the sale. Knauf will continue to manage Opitz at the existing site as an independent company.

Within the framework of the transaction, Knauf was provided with comprehensive consultation in all legal areas by a Corporate and M&A Team from our offices in Freiburg and Frankfurt under the aegis of Dr. Barbara Mayer and Gerhard Manz: From legal due diligence, to contract negotiations and labor law issues to closing. FGvW has already been active for Knauf for many years; the Corporate and M&A Team has supported the company in numerous transactions in recent years.

Opitz, a family-owned traditional company, is among the leading suppliers to carpentry and prefabricated construction companies in the area of timber framing, nail trusses and timber panel components in Germany. In Opitz Holzbau’s modern factory in Neuruppin (Brandenburg), the company produces among other things wall, ceiling and roof elements for buildings in a low-energy and passive design. Opitz Holzbau will be continued as an independent company by Knauf. In addition to the classic business, the sale of timber panel components, Knauf plans for the production of light steel structural elements for facades, walls and ceilings in Neuruppin.

The Knauf Group is among the leading international manufacturers of construction materials and construction systems. Globally, Knauf is represented in more than 86 countries at more than 220 sites with production plants and distribution organizations. Knauf plants produce modern dry construction systems, plasters and accessories, heat insulation combined systems, colors, floating screed and floor systems, machines and tools for application of the products as well as insulating materials. In the 2016 business year, the Knauf group of companies, with about 27,400 employees, generated an annual turnover of 6.5 billion euros worldwide.

Consultants to the Knauf Group:

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partners Freiburg/Frankfurt
Dr. Barbara Mayer, Partner (Lead, Corporate, M&A), Freiburg
Gerhard Manz, Partner (Lead, Corporate, M&A), Freiburg
Julia Reinhardt, Associate (Corporate), Freiburg
Friederike Schäffler, Partner (Real Estate, State Aid Law), Freiburg
Dr. Sabine Schröter, Partner (Labor Law), Frankfurt
Susanne Lüddecke, Local Partner (Labor Law), Frankfurt

Contact:
Gerhard Manz
Dr. Barbara Mayer