Vehicle construction: Luther advises the Polish company Wielton S.A. on the acquisition of the German Langendorf Group

On 23 May 2017, Wielton – one of the European market leaders in semi-trailer manufacturing – has acquired 80 percent of the shares in Langendorf Group, a German manufacturer of special-purpose transport vehicles. Wielton was assisted by Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft during the transaction.

This acquisition will make Wielton S.A. the third largest manufacturer of semi-trailers in Europe. The Polish company plans to acquire the remaining 20 percent of the shares in Langendorf Group between 2019 and 2022 (5 percent of the shares per year).

Wielton's takeover of the German SME is a logical step in implementing the company's growth strategy: in May 2015, Wielton already acquired Fruehauf, a leading manufacturer of semi-trailers and trailers in France. In August 2015, Wielton acquired the Viberti and Cardi brands from the Italian company Viberti Rimorchi (previously Italiana Rimorchi). The takeover of Langendorf will now strengthen the company's position in the European market. The German market is considered Europe's largest market for semi-trailers and trailers.

About Wielton

Wielton S.A., with its place of business in Wieluń, is the largest Polish manufacturer of semi-trailers, trailers and car bodies. The company, which is listed on the Warsaw stock exchange, is one of the three largest companies in the industry in Europe and one of the ten largest companies in the industry worldwide. It currently employs about 1,900 people. Its customers include carriers, building companies, manufacturers, distribution companies and agricultural enterprises.

The Wielton Group produces in Poland and France as well as in Italy and Russia. In late 2016, Wielton established a subsidiary on the Ivory Coast, where it will be the first European manufacturer to build a semi-trailer and trailer assembly.

About Langendorf Group

Langendorf, with its place of business in Waltrop (North-Rhine Westphalia) is a family-run business with more than 125 years of experience, 70 years of which is in the manufacture of semi-trailers. It is one of the leading European manufacturers of trailers and tippers. The company has extraordinary technical know-how in the manufacture of special-purpose tippers for transporting glass and concrete.

Last year, the company built about 1,000 vehicles. Langendorf generates 53 percent of its turnover in the German market. The company exports about 47 percent of its products to Italy, Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, Japan and Singapore. In the fiscal year 2016, Langendorf's annual turnover reached EUR 48 million.

For Wielton

Luther, Mergers & Acquisitions: Dr Thomas Kuhnle (Lead Partner), Kathrin Rettner (both Stuttgart)

Luther, Employment Law: Kerstin Belovitzer (Stuttgart)

Luther, IP and Copyright Law: Carsten Andreas Senze (Partner), Laura Rüdisühli, lic. en droit (both Stuttgart)

Luther, Commercial and Distribution Law: Claudia Baur (Stuttgart)

Luther, Environment and Planning Law, Regulatory: Claudia Schoppen (Partner), Dr Paul Michael Veit, LL.M. (both Essen)

Luther, Real Estate Law: Michael Kunkel, LL.M. (Cologne), Dr Max Jakob Rösch, LL.M. (Stuttgart)

Luther, Antitrust Law: Dr Thomas Kapp, LL.M. (Partner, Stuttgart)