Acquisition of Kalt Maschinenbau by CGS

Niederer Kraft Frey acted as lead counsel to CGS Management on the acquisition of Kalt Maschinenbau AG.

Kalt is a leading international specialist in cheese, dairy, and process technology. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Lütisburg in eastern Switzerland, the company develops and produces machines and systems for a broad customer base spanning the globe, ranging from traditional cheese dairies to industrial manufacturers. CGS will leverage its wealth of experience in further developing the business of mechanical engineering firms to support Kalt in innovation management, digitisation, and the expansion of its international sales and service presence. An intensive Buy & Build strategy including add-on acquisitions shall bolster Kalt’s market position and keep its growth of recent years on track.

CGS is an independent, experienced investment firm based in Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland. CGS is specialised in building medium-sized companies in industrial sectors into international groups. Since 1999, CGS funds have been investing in platform companies in Europe’s German-speaking countries and making add-on acquisitions worldwide. CGS is currently drawing on its fourth fund and this investment sees Kalt becoming the fund’s fifth platform company.

The NKF team was led by M&A partner Till Spillmann and supported by senior associates Andrea Giger, Adrian Koller, associate Aurèle Bertrand, and junior associates Selim Lötscher and Stephanie Huchler (all M&A), working with partner Clara-Ann Gordon and junior associate Tanja Lutz (both Technology/Data Privacy), partner Nicolas Birkhäuser (IP/Antitrust) as well as partner Thomas Graf and associate Sven Kälin (both Tax).