Luther advises the Dorotheum Group on the acquisition of jewellery manufacturer Ehinger Schwarz

The Vienna-based jewellery and auction house Dorotheum, supported by Luther, has taken over the long-established Ulm-based company Ehinger Schwarz, thus saving it from closure. With the help of a Luther team led by Dr. Thorsten Becker and Dr. Andreas Kloyer, the traditional company was transferred into a new company called Ehinger Schwarz by Dorotheum, which is taking on all of its approximately 50 employees – including its eight branches throughout Germany and its headquarters in Ulm. The transaction has paved the way for a sustainable and innovative future for Ehinger Schwarz.

Karin Saey, Head of Retail at Dorotheum, says: ‘We are very pleased with the acquisition, which was successfully carried out not least thanks to the highly professional advice provided by Luther.’ Dr Alexander Schneider, General Counsel at Dorotheum, adds: ‘We are particularly grateful for the competent and always available support and advice provided by the experienced and well-coordinated Luther M&A team during the complex transaction.‘

As a result of the transfer of operations, the values, brands and expertise of Ehinger Schwarz are to be preserved, while at the same time fresh impetus is to be provided to meet current customer needs. For the long-established German company, this development not only means a strategic strengthening in the market, but also access to a broader range of resources and expertise from a strong group of companies.

The Luther team led by Dr Andreas Kloyer and Dr Thorsten Becker had already worked for Dorotheum on a distressed M&A deal in the financial sector at the end of 2023.

About Dorotheum:

Founded in 1707 by Emperor Joseph I, the auction house is the oldest of the world's major auction houses, with a history stretching back more than 300 years. Since autumn 2001, the Dorotheum has been under private ownership, with the new owners managing the auction house with great personal commitment and enthusiasm for art. The management's aim is to further develop Vienna as an auction location while preserving the charm of this traditional institution.

About EHINGER SCHWARZ:

For over 140 years, Ehinger Schwarz 1876 has stood for exceptional jewellery ideas of the highest quality and aesthetics. Inspired by the perfection, diversity and beauty of nature, we create unique pieces of jewellery, carefully handcrafted with great attention to detail. But it is only when you wear our jewellery that its full enchantment is revealed. It is this sensual relationship between the wearer and the jewellery that is so important to the EHINGER SCHWARZ 1876 brand. We at EHINGER SCHWARZ 1876 see it as our mission to maintain this unique symbiosis in order to create something truly special. Our customers' enthusiasm for our jewellery creations is our driving motivation. We see it as our challenge to set new standards in the industry with innovation and fresh ideas.

For Dorotheum:

Corporate/M&A: Dr. Andreas Kloyer (Partner), Dr. Thorsten Becker (Counsel; joint leadership), Lida Karra (Associate), Isabel Hoyer (Associate)

Immobilienrecht: Ruth-Maria Eva Thomsen (Partner), Tatjana Giutronich, LL.M. (Senior Associate)

Capital Markets, Banking & Finance: Dr. Rolf Kobabe (Partner)

TAX: Dr. Zacharias-Alexis Schneider, LL.B., LL.M. (Partner), Marco-Marcel Niebuhr (Senior Associate), Jolanda Fiss (Associate), Tim Holenburg (Consultant)

Arbeitsrecht: Dr. Marco Arteaga (Partner), Achim Braner (Partner), Nadine Ceruti (Counsel), Jan Hansen (Senior Associate), Melina Stamm, LL.M. (Associate)