Successful management buyout at kfzteile24

April 20, 2023
  • The management of kfzteile24has taken over the company from the previous majority owner EQT Mid Market("EQT") through a buyout
  • In the course of thetransaction, the investor group SB21, the long-standing investor Project AVentures and the KOEHLER Group are participating in the company
  • As a result of the buyout,the profitable e-commerce platform is excellently positioned to further expandits leading market position

kfzteile24, Germany's best-known digital platform in the automotive aftermarket, is driving towards the future. Today, the management of kfzteile24 bought out the e-commerce company. The management team was supported in the transaction by SB21, Project A Ventures and the KOEHLER Group. The takeover was supported by the long-standing consortium of house banks, and the existing financing was extended. As a result of the buyout, kfzteile24 has gained extra financial resources in addition to entrepreneurial and digital expertise in order to further expand its market position as a leading online provider in the German automotive aftermarket. 

At the end of 2015, EQT took over the company from the founders. Over the past few years, kfzteile24 has made a number of investments, including in its IT platform, logistics and internationalization and has established itself as the leading online platform for car spare parts and accessories. Due to its strong focus on customer care and operational excellence, the company was able to develop its B2B business in particular into a key sales driver. 

“We are very grateful to EQT for their extensive support over the past few years. This has enabled us to turn kfzteile24 into the successful and profitable omnichannel company it is today," says Markus Winter, CEO of kfzteile24. "Our strong digital platform is also the success factor behind the rapid expansion of the direct delivery business for commercial customers." 

"The kfzteile24 management team has been instrumental in developing the company into a leading digital automotive parts platform with excellent operational capabilities," explains Christian Horn, Managing Director at EQT Private Equity. "We are convinced that kfzteile24 is in very good hands and that a successful future lies ahead."

The largest shareholder following the transaction, together with the management, is SB21, a group of Berlin technology entrepreneurs and business angels, which also includes CEO Markus Winter. Last but not least, the participation in the company by the management is excellent news for the staff of kfzteile24. "The key to our success is and always has been our employees," asserts Markus Winter. "The fact that our long-standing investor Project A is accompanying us on this path and re-investing in our company is a great sign of trust."

About kfzteile24

kfzteile24 is Germany's best-known brand for car parts and auto accessories. The Berlin omnichannel company includes the successful online shops kfzteile24.de and autoteile24.de, as well as its own branches and open-type master workshops. In addition, the company, founded in 2001, has an international presence with the carpardoo brand. The range includes over 3 million products, including original spare parts from well-known brands. The company sends out around 10,000 parcels every day and supplies commercial customers in eastern Germany with orders placed before 2pm delivered on the same day. Qualified automotive experts are on-hand to help customers find exactly the right parts they need. The online shop and the "outstanding" customer service (Trustpilot rating: 4.33 stars) from kfzteile24 have received multiple awards (including for the "excellent" technical quality of the online shop, Computer Bild 2022; "Best Brand 2022" in the mail order category, auto motor sport; Net Promoter Score: 75 points).

About EQT

EQT is a global investment organisation with over EUR 114 billion in assets under management across two businesses – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT funds invest in companies in Europe, Asia and America. EQT supports portfolio companies on their way to achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More information at www.eqtgroup.com