Bühler Signs Contract for 100% Acquisition of Leybold

The transaction must still be approved by the competent antitrust authorities.  

For Bühler, the acquisition marks yet another important step in the expansion of the activities of its Advanced Materials division.

Global technology leader

Leybold Optics, a company with a rich tradition, is one of the world’s leading providers of production systems for vacuum deposition of functional layers for a wide range of applications. Its Optics unit is a supplier to leading manufacturers in the optics, automotive, electronics, and packaging industries. It holds a particularly powerful position as an innovation leader in the fields of process engineering and automation, especially sputtering technology. Its Glass & Solar unit supplies coating systems for largesize substrates to the photovoltaics, glass, and display industries.

Leybold Optics employs some 600 persons at its headquarters in Alzenau, Germany, and at other development and production sites in Germany, the United States, and China. In 2011, the company generated sales of over EUR 200 million, and it operates profitably. The seller EQT is a group of private equity funds that invests in North and East Europe, Asia, and the United States. The parties have agreed not to disclose the selling price.

Strategic further development

For Bühler, the acquisition marks a significant step toward the expansion of its Advanced Materials division in the area of equipment for manufacturing of functional layers. Driven by global trends, these promise a highly attractive growth potential. This new acquisition supplements Bühler’s existing business units Grinding & Dispersion (systems for preparing printing inks, electronic materials, and fine chemicals) and Nanotechnology (processing of nanoparticles) in an ideal manner in terms of technology and market access. Leybold Optics will be integrated in the Advanced Materials division as a new business unit and retain its existing management.