Munich-based private equity fund Perusa has acquired a majority stake in leading German motorcycle helmet brand Schuberth. Former US owner Susquehanna International Group has retained a minority holding.
The new controlling investor says that it intends to maintain a corporate vision based on advanced technology and “Made in Germany” quality at Schuberth, which was founded in 1922. Most of the brand’s production and R&D is still concentrated at its plant at Magdeburg in the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Commenting on the deal, Perusa managing director Hanno Schmidt-Gothan said: “Schuberth is a technologically strong company with a long history in head protection. We believe that the Perusa approach of active involvement in the growth and development of portfolio companies will benefit Schuberth in every way — from internationalisation and innovation to productivity improvements and financing structure.”
Schuberth chief executive Marcel Lejeune added: “Thanks to our innovation strength, we have developed Schuberth into one of Europe’s strongest helmet brands over the past few decades. With Perusa, we now have the ideal partner at our side to be able to keep investing in research and development for our products and expand our technological competitive edge. That will help us to increase our potential further, particularly in international markets.”