Funds advised by DPE Deutsche Private Equity Management III GmbH (DPE) are investing in the AWK Group, Zurich, the leading independent Swiss IT consulting specialist. The owner-managed AWK Group has grown considerably over the past few years, generating sales of over CHF 50 million and realising around 300 projects for its customers in the current year. The AWK Group is aiming to expand its service portfolio further and double its workforce in the medium term from 250 to 500 on the back of this move.
AWK intends to shape “digital Switzerland” with its customers.
“Our aim is to greatly expand the consulting offering. We want to shape digital Switzerland – and we are continuing to invest heavily with this goal in mind. We are expanding in order to offer our customers a comprehensive service range from one single source,” explains Oliver Vaterlaus, CEO of the company.
He views the company’s size is a decisive factor in this respect: “Our continued strong growth is allowing us to keep pace with the rapid development of technology. Nowadays IT permeates all business processes, and our projects require interdisciplinary abilities,” says Vaterlaus. In DPE, the AWK Group has now gained an investor and partner that will actively support the company with expertise as part of its expansion moving forward. “I am delighted to have found DPE – a partner that shares our values and offers a wealth of experience in the expansion of SMEs,” adds Vaterlaus.
Nothing else is set to change with regards to the company’s successful philosophy. CEO Vaterlaus will continue to be a significant AWK shareholder, and all AWK Group partners will remain invested in the business. DPE partner Guido Prehn stated: “The AWK Group is a dynamic company with an outstanding reputation in a sector enjoying strong growth. Together with Oliver Vaterlaus and the management, we will now plot a course which allows the AWK Group to advise its customers even more comprehensively moving forward.”
Bratschi advised DPE on the tax structuring of the transaction. The team was led by Michael A. Barrot (Tax Partner) and includes Tabea Lorenz (Associate).
