Ashurst comprehensively advised funds advised by DPE Deutsche Private Equity Management III GmbH (DPE) on the acquisition and the financing of Euro-Druckservice GmbH (EDS).

The provider of print marketing solutions for retailers was sold by a consortium of three shareholders, which was advised by Kartesia. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction.

EDS, headquartered in Passau, Germany, employs c. 1,500 employees across five countries and is the leading provider of print marketing solutions for retailers in CEE with revenues of €275m in FY2016.

The Ashurst team was led by corporate partner Holger H. Ebersberger and finance partner Dr Bernd Egbers (both Munich). Partners Jan Krekeler (corporate) and Dr Martin Bünning (tax, both Frankfurt) also advised. Associate Nicole Kaps (corporate), senior associate Isabell Pöller and associate Ralf Stenger (both finance) as well as paralegal Franziska Nebollieff (all Munich) assisted. Counsel Dr Marius Fritzsche (employment) and senior associate Holger Mlynek (contract law, both Frankfurt) also advised.

This was the first time Ashurst advised DPE in relation to a corporate purchase. The firm already acted for DPE on several financings, for example in 2016 on the financing of the takeover of Fischer surface technologies.

DPE is an independent German investment company that invests in SMEs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Founded in 2007, DPE has since successfully launched three funds. DPE thus manages total assets of € 1.2 billion. Since its foundation, DPE has invested in 20 companies and pursued 47 add-on investments.