Epta Acquires the Refrigeration Division of German Company Heifo

17 Sep, 2023

Epta Acquires the Refrigeration Division of German Company Heifo

Epta, a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment, has expanded its presence in northern Germany through the acquisition of Heifo GmbH's refrigeration division. Heifo, headquartered in Osnabrück, Germany, is a long-standing family business with over 160 years of experience in industrial and commercial refrigeration, professional air conditioning, and solutions for the food industry. The transaction involves the transfer of all refrigeration activities valued at approximately €25 million and more than 120 employees to a new entity called Heifo Kältetechnik GmbH, fully owned by Epta. Notably, this acquisition excludes Heifo's professional food solutions business, Heifo PFS Group.

Epta emphasizes that this acquisition will reinforce its position as a provider of sustainable and energy-efficient commercial refrigeration solutions in Germany while expanding its service portfolio for large-scale retail clients, including industrial refrigeration systems and engineering services. The company stated, "With Heifo's well-structured technician network and expertise, Epta is poised to become a comprehensive provider for the retail and food & beverage sectors."

This move follows Epta's recent announcement in July regarding the formation of a joint venture with Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions in central and northern Europe. Marco Nocivelli, Epta's chairman and CEO, noted, "This acquisition is another significant step in our geographic expansion strategy, particularly in high-growth regions like Germany, and in developing specialized skills within the Group. It marks our ninth acquisition in the past four years and, combined with the recent joint venture agreement, represents a crucial milestone in our growth objectives."

The deal's closing is contingent upon approval from the German antitrust authorities and is anticipated to be finalized by the end of this year.