MEK Holding SA and subsidiaries have been acquired by Kowema Beteiligungs AG

February 2014 — Kowema Beteiligungs AG (Kowema), an investment vehicle funded by Swiss pension funds, has acquired MEK Holding SA together with its subsidiaries Nova Werke AG, operating under the highly-renowned Novaswiss brand, Ceramaret SA, a producer of components made of extremely hard materials, and Maillard Frères SA, specializing in the processing of ruby, sapphire and advanced ceramics mainly for the watchmaking industry. Financial terms of this transaction have not been disclosed.

MEK Holding SA has been owned by the Knechtli family for 25 years. The owners preferred a package sale of the holding company, even though it had activities in various industry sectors. The three companies had limited operational synergies but the seller preferred to divest the entire group to the same buyer.

Kowema is an alternative investment vehicle exclusively owned by Swiss pension funds. It was founded in 2007 and so far operates through two groups of companies. Kowema' strategy is to acquire eight to ten independent Swiss mid-cap companies in order to contribute to the development of Swiss economy and generate attractive returns for its shareholders.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins' team in Switzerland advised the seller, a private individual, on the entire succession process, including assistance in preparing the companies for the sale, the identification and approach of potential buyers, and assistance in negotiating and closing the transactio