Lenz & Staehelin advises Schaeffler on its acquisition of Ewellix Group

German automotive supplier Schaeffler has agreed to acquire Ewellix Group from investment company Triton for approx. EUR 582 million in order to boost its linear range. The invest venture capital company bought the former SKF Motion Technologies from SKF for $310m in 2018, before renaming it as Ewellix.

Headquartered in Sweden, Ewellix, is formerly SKF’s linear technology arm. The

company makes components including telescopic lifting columns, employs nearly 1,200 people and generates about EUR 250 million in annual revenue. Under Triton’s ownership, Ewellix has been repositioned as a standalone company with a focus on high-growth niches in the linear motion market. Its product portfolio has also been streamlined, its production footprint and procurement functions optimised, and significant investments made in digitalisation and product development.

For Schaeffler the acquisition represents a major expansion of its portfolio of linear technologies and will allow the company to tailor its products in this area more closely to customer requirements. The deal also means that Schaeffler will be able to focus more closely on automation and robotics and other trends in the industry. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Lenz & Staehelin has advised Schaeffler on Swiss law matters. The team includes partner Tino Gaberthüel, associate Xavier Grivel (both corporate/m&a), Anja Affolter Marino, Elena Furlanetto (both employment/pension) and Céline Stähelin (real estate).