Equistone portfolio company Andra Tech Group continues expansion: acquisition of Dutch metal specialist DKH Metaalbewerking

Andra Tech Group, a leading group of companies focused on the manufacture of precision mechanical components, successfully completed its second acquisition under Equistone’s ownership. With the acquisition of DKH Metaalbewerking B.V. ("DKH"), a specialist manufacturer of complex metallic parts and components, the Dutch group is further expanding its presence in its home market. DKH is acquired from founder and CEO, Francois van Hirtum, who, over the past two decades, successfully developed DKH into an established partner for a reputable customer base.

Since its foundation in 1973, Andra Tech Group (formerly Kusters Beheer) has grown into a leading group in manufacturing high-tech precision parts and modules. After the acquisition of DKH, Andra Tech Group consists of seven companies with c. 500 highly qualified employees serving an international customer base focused primarily on the semiconductor market and aerospace, transport, packaging, food and medical industries. In addition to developing and producing high-tech prototypes and small to medium-sized precision components, the group combines a high level of expertise in processing complex metals, plastics and composites with state-of-the-art technologies (including 3D metal printing and cleanroom assembly systems).

Based in Uden, the Netherlands, DKH has developed into a specialist, highly automated manufacturer of complex precision mechanical parts and components with a focus on CNC milling and turning. The company acts as a reliable partner for its customers across various industries such as food processing, automotive, transportation and medical equipment, offering solutions for both large and small production series. The company currently employs c. 30 experienced, highly qualified people.

This transaction represents the second acquisition completed by Andra Tech Group. It will expand the group’s presence in the Dutch market, while also ensuring that DKH is optimally positioned to best meet growing customer demand for its products.

"We have developed DKH into an important partner for producing customer-specified products. Now, by joining forces with the Andra Tech Group, we want to take the company's success and development to a new level, both from a technological as well as an organizational perspective. By joining the Andra Tech Group, we can provide even better offering for our customers and our employees." explains Francois van Hirtum, founder and CEO of DKH.

Geert Ketelaars, CEO of Andra Tech Group, adds: "DKH is an important addition to the Andra Tech Group. Our new colleagues serve an attractive and diverse customer base, and we expect that the other companies in our group can leverage DKH’s expertise in automated product handling. We look forward to the collaboration between DKH and our existing companies."

"With DKH, the Andra Tech Group is gaining another strong partner that is extremely well-positioned in its market. With its high-quality standards and comprehensive technical know-how, DKH reinforces the group's strong technical capabilities and further boosts its attractiveness to an already broad customer base," explains Hubert van Wolfswinkel, Partner at Equistone's Amsterdam office.

Hubert van Wolfswinkel, Dr Marc Arens, Philipp Gauss and Josh Aalbers led the transaction on Equistone's behalf. Equistone was advised on the transaction by PwC (Financial & Tax) and Vesper (Legal).