• EQT III sells German vacuum thin film technology company Leybold Optics to Swiss technology firm Bühler AG
• Leybold Optics will be part of Bühler’s Advanced Material Segment

EQT III has reached an agreement to sell German vacuum thin film technology company Leybold Optics GmbH (“Leybold” or the “Company”) to the family-held conglomerate Bühler AG (“Bühler”). The Swiss technology group has a global footprint and specializes in the field of mechanical and thermal process engineering. Leybold, based in Alzenau, with annual sales of EUR 200 million and around 600 employees, will remain under its current management but will be a part of Bühler’s Advanced Material Segment, which will double in size through the acquisition. Both parties have agreed to keep the transaction details undisclosed.

Leybold is a world leader in vacuum thin film technology and develops and manufactures deposition equipment for a broad range of applications including optics, architectural glass and solar. The Company was founded 160 years ago by inventors Ernst Leybold and Wilhelm Carl Heraeus. EQT III acquired Leybold from Zurich based Unaxis Group in late 2001.

During EQT III's ownership, Leybold pursued an active expansion including the opening of production sites in the US and China as part of its global production strategy, add-on acquisitions as well as the entry into large area coatings such as architectural glass and solar.

“We are happy to have found a reputable and experienced new owner for Leybold. Bühler will offer Leybold an ideal environment to grow further and to continue to drive technological innovation and provide outstanding quality to its customers”, says Gunnar Gremlin, Chairman of Leybold and Industrial Advisor to EQT III.

“Joining a large, global and innovative technology group such as Bühler, is an exciting next step for Leybold as a company, for its management and for its employees. It offers Leybold a great opportunity for further development”, continues Kurt Hakansson, CEO of Leybold.

“Leybold will become a valuable asset of our international product and service offering”, says Calvin Grieder, CEO of Bühler AG.

The transaction is subject to approval from antitrust authorities and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2012.

Contacts:
EQT III Spokesperson Johan Hähnel
Communications & PR
+46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is the leading private equity group in Northern Europe with close to EUR 18 billion in raised capital and multiple investment strategies. Together with a superior network of independent Industrial Advisors, EQT implements its investment strategy by acquiring or financing good medium-sized to large companies in Northern and Eastern Europe, Asia and the United States, supporting their development into leading companies. Development is achieved by an industrial strategy with focus on growth. Since inception, EQT has invested more than EUR 10.8 billion in around 100 companies and exited close to 50. EQT-owned companies have more than 550,000 employees.

EQT Partners, acting as investment advisor to the managers of each EQT fund, has around 120 investment professionals with an extensive industrial and financial competence. EQT Partners and its affiliates have offices in Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Oslo, London, Munich, New York, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Warsaw and Zurich.

More information can be found on www.eqt.se