Argos Wityu
Argos Wityu invests in the world market leader of inflatable floating waterparks, Wibit Sports
Bocholt/Frankfurt am Main, October 29, 2018 – The independent pan-European investment company Argo Wityu is investing in Wibit Sports GmbH (Wibit), the world market leader of inflatable floating waterparks based in Bocholt, Germany. This was announced by the two companies today. Wibit produces floating waterparks made from inflatable PVC modules, which are used in open waters off the coast and lakes as well as outdoor and indoor pools as a leisure attraction in over 90 countries. It is the unchallenged market leader in this self-established industry. With Argos Wityu as a strategic partner, the company wants to accelerate its international growth and further expand and diversify its successful business model. The two company founders will continue in their co-CEO positions and will remain involved with the company for the long-term. The transaction is expected to close in early November. Wibit was founded in 1996 by two soccer players, Romann Rademacher and Robert Cirjak, who met while playing for the German soccer club MSV Duisburg. With 36 employees, the company generates annual sales in the lower two-digit million range. To date, around 600 parks have been installed in over 90 countries, including holiday destinations such as Dubai, Croatia and Cancún in Mexico. Wibit works together with an international network that meanwhile comprises 16 distribution partners. Locations in Germany include Timmendorfer Strand, the public beach at Xantener Südsee, the Camp David Sport Resort in Leipzig and numerous outdoor pools. The largest waterparks already installed have a capacity of up to 500 people. Since the company’s founding, the waterparks have attracted an estimated 30 million users. As a pioneer in the field of floating waterparks worldwide, Wibit has extensive expertise in this industry and is renowned for its high product quality and safety. All products comply with the high international safety requirements (EN ISO 25649) and are regularly inspected by Germany’s TÜV. The extraordinary success of Wibit’s business model is built on the innovativeness of its products and the attractive business model for operators. For instance, Wibit has its own in-house R&D department, which is constantly developing new modules and the company today holds more than 200 patents. This product variety, customized coloration according to customer specifications and high-quality production clearly distinguish Wibit from inferior copies. At the same time, the systems have exceptionally short amortization periods and are therefore an attractive investment for customers such as beach concessionaires, hotels, wake park operators and resorts. Wibit offers operators a complete package that includes installation by Wibit-trained technicians as well as comprehensive consulting for optimal operation and long-term maintenance of the park. Focus on accelerated internationalization and organic growth – continuity in top management With the development of its first modular waterparks in 2008, Wibit’s growth momentum picked up significantly. From Wibit’s position as market leader, the founders now want to use this dynamic growth to further advance the internationalization of the company and to expand the business model through organic growth and a targeted diversification. To achieve this, they sought a long-term oriented entrepreneurial partner to support Wibit with growth capital, an international network and extensive experience in the development of management and sales structures. In a targeted and selective process, the choice was made in favor of Argos Wityu – not least because the company has an unusually large international network for its market segment and proven expertise in supporting the growth scenarios of companies. At the same time, this step is characterized by continuity: The founders continue to lead the company as co-CEOs and will remain in close ties with the company long term. Together the partners want to drive forward the growth of Wibit by strengthening and expanding the team as well as all relevant operational structures, expanding the company’s presence in Asia and Europe, opening up new geographic markets and enabling the expansion of the business model into new product categories and complementary services. Robert Cirjak and Romann Rademacher, co-CEOs and founders of Wibit Sports, said: “The strategic partnership with Argos Wityu is a major step forward in the further development of our company. Wibit wants to become bolder, better and bigger than it is today. We combine sportsmanship with an entrepreneurial passion and are ready now to move up from the Bundesliga to the Champions League. Together with Argos Wityu, we want to seize the growth opportunities before us. Now we can realize many projects for which we need additional financial, personnel and organizational capacities. We are convinced that with Argos Wityu we have a strong strategic partner at our side – the team’s expertise and extensive international experience have impressed us deeply.” Frank Hermann, partner and director of the DACH region at Argos Wityu, said: “Wibit’s extremely successful business model and the entrepreneurial personalities of Romann Rademacher and Robert Cirjak stood out right from the outset. Today the company already has a strong international presence, but the potential for further growth is still far from being fully exploited in light of the huge number of holiday and leisure destinations. Moreover, the founders identified additional interesting growth areas for the diversification of the business model to supplement their core product, thus enhancing the attractiveness for customers and users. This mix of internationalization and tapping new business areas characterizes many of our investments. We are excited about jointly implementing this with the Wibit team.” Wibit is the 5th world leader in its niche in Argos Wityu’s current portfolio of 21 companies. Wibit Sports has been advised on this transaction by CatCap (M&A), Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (legal advice) and Steuerberatung Westerhoven (finances & taxes). Romann Rademacher and Robert Cirjak were responsible for the transaction at Wibit Sports. Argos Wityu has been advised by King & Wood Mallesons (legal advice), Maconda (market), MRH Trowe (insurance) and Rödl & Partner (financial). Frank Hermann (partner) and Fabian Söffge were responsible on behalf of Argos Wityu. About Argos Wityu Argos Wityu is an independent private-equity group with offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Luxembourg, Milan and Paris. Since its creation in 1989, the group has invested in more than 75 mid-sized companies (Enterprise Value ranging from 20 to 200 million Euros). Its majority ownership equity investments range between 10 and 100 million Euros per transaction. With 1 billion Euros under management, the group develops a unique investment strategy focusing on business transformation and growth, instead of financial leverage, and on bringing solutions to complex business and shareholding situations. For more information: http://argos.wityu.fund About Wibit Sports Wibit Sports was founded in 1996 by soccer players Robert Cirjak and Romann Rademacher, who met while playing for the German soccer club MSV Duisburg. It is a pioneer in the field of floating, inflatable water sports parks. In addition to its headquarters in Bocholt, Germany, the company maintains two offices in Shenzhen/China and Hongkong. With a current staff of 36, Wibit generates annual sales in the lower double digit million range. Wibit Sports’ floating waterparks consist of individual modules that can be connected to each other. This creates combinations of all shapes and sizes for any kind of water – seas, lakes or swimming pools. Safety is Wibit’s number one priority. All products comply with high international safety requirements (EN ISO 25649) and are regularly inspected by Germany’s TÜV. The colorful products from Wibit Sports are currently found in over 90 countries, and more than 30 million people worldwide have already tried out the adventure landscapes. In Germany, Wibit’s floating waterparks are set up in numerous swimming pools and lakes as well as at Timmendorfer Strand, the leisure center Xantener Südsee and Camp David Sport Resort near Leipzig. In addition, Wibit has created WibitTAGs – landmark attractions in the form of letters off the coast of various tourism-intensive locations such as Vietnam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cancún and Indonesia. For more information: https://www.wibitsports.de Images can be downloaded here: Download Your contact at Argos Wityu: Frank Hermann, Partner Tel. +49 69 5977217 30 fhe@argos.fund Press contact at Argos Wityu: Charles Barker Corporate Communications Kornelia Spodzieja, Jan P. Sefrin Tel. +49 69 79 40 90-40 /-26 E-Mail kornelia.spodzieja@charlesbarker.de, jan.sefrin@charlesbarker.de Press contact at Wibit Sports: Lara Hülskamp-Seesing, Marketing Manager Tel. + 49 2871 238200 lara@wibitsports.com End of Media Release Issuer: Argos Wityu Key word(s): Finance
29.10.2018 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG. |
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