Aarburg, 30/9/24
Franke acquires WESCO, a premium provider for kitchen extractor hoods and air filtration
Franke Group takes over the Swiss WESCO Group, thereby further expanding its core expertise in the field of air quality technology and strengthening its market position in Switzerland and Germany.
The Swiss Franke Group, headquartered in Aarburg, has concluded a sale and purchase agreement to acquire 100% of WESCO Group, a premium manufacturer of high-end kitchen extractor hoods and ventilation systems in Switzerland and Germany. The closing of the transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed.
WESCO Group’s subsidiary WESCO AG is a recognized expert for kitchen extractor hoods and air filtration in homes, schools and offices in Switzerland; berbel Ablufttechnik GmbH, the Group’s German operation, is a leading brand of extractor hoods and hob extractors in Germany. In the 2022/2023 financial year, WESCO Group generated net sales of 97 million Swiss francs and employed a total of 280 employees.
WESCO Group will become part of Franke Home Solutions, a division of Franke Group and the world’s leading provider of intelligent systems and solutions for residential kitchens.
The acquisition of WESCO Group offers to Franke Group the opportunity to strengthen its position in the extractor hood market and progressively achieve a leading position in Germany and Switzerland. WESCO Group, through its brands Wesco and berbel, is strongly represented as a premium supplier on the Swiss and German extractor hood markets respectively, and thus complements and reinforces Franke’s offering from both geographical and strategic perspective. Specifically, the berbel brand is recognized in Germany, the largest European market, for its unique technical solutions, craftmanship excellence and design.
Barbara Borra, President/CEO of Franke Home Solutions comments: “Acquiring WESCO is an ideal strategic fit for us. WESCO brings to Franke advanced air quality technology and robust commercial organizations in Switzerland and Germany. By leveraging Franke’s global scale and financial strength, we can support WESCO’s growth both in its traditional markets and internationally. With WESCO, we have found a company who shares the same values as Franke in terms of quality, technology and innovation.”
Beat Ernst, owner of WESCO Group, explains: “As part of a succession plan, I decided to sell my company to Franke. As there is no succession in our family environment, it was important to me to find a sustainable solution that would hand over our life's work into good hands. Franke has the necessary expertise and resources to fully utilize the potential of our brands and position them even more successfully in the market.”
Franke Group, headquartered in Aarburg, Switzerland, is a leading global manufacturer and provider of solutions and equipment for domestic kitchens as well as for the professional foodservice sector and coffee preparation. The company is present worldwide and employs around 7,700 people in 35 countries. Net sales amount to approximately 2.42 billion Swiss franc. Franke Group is owned by Artemis Group, Switzerland. More information at franke.com.
Franke Home Solutions is a division of Franke Group and the world's leading provider of intelligent systems and solutions for the private kitchen. The division is active worldwide and employs around 4,200 people in over 30 countries, generating net sales of 932 million Swiss franc. The product range covers all areas in the kitchen – from food preparation and cooking to disposal, cleaning and air treatment, expanding towards the entire home. Franke Home Solutions offers the consumer an unlimited home experience – simple, hygienic and environmentally friendly. More information at franke.com.
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Wettingen, Switzerland, WESCO Group is a leading family-run company specializing in extractor hoods and ventilation systems for kitchens, homes, offices and schools. With around 280 employees at locations in Switzerland (WESCO AG), Germany (berbel Ablufttechnik GmbH) and Italy (Createc srl), the Group generates annual net sales of 97 million Swiss franc. WESCO stands for high-quality extractor hoods and ventilation solutions ‘made for Switzerland’, while berbel impresses with innovative products ‘made in Germany’. WESCO Group combines outstanding expertise in ventilation and design and stands for the highest quality, efficiency and innovation.
