LIFTKET pushes internationalisation with new strong partner Ardian

The management team, led by CEO Jürgen Dlugi, will take a substantial stake and reinvest significantly. Afinum will also re-invest in the company as part of the transaction and thus continue to support LIFTKET as a minority shareholder.

LIFTKET was founded in 1948 by Dietrich Hoffmann and has been successful with its products on the market ever since. In recent years, under Afinum’s ownership, the company has evolved from a national hidden champion to the global market leader in lifting and motion control systems for mission-critical environments in the entertainment, renewable and industrial sectors.

With the acquisitions of CHAINMASTER in 2018, MOVECAT in 2019 and Hoystek in 2020, as well as the establishment of further locations in Canada, UK and India, they have already set major milestones in terms of internationalisation. The number of employees also increased by more than 30% and the production output of electric chain hoists increased significantly to approximately 700,000 units installed worldwide today.

"LIFTKET is one of the leading suppliers on the European market and has achieved this position through the absolute reliability, durability and safety of its products. Based on our strong competitive position and innovative products as well as the fundamental growth of our customer markets, we continue to see significant growth potential for our company. In Ardian, we have found a partner who will actively support us in realising this potential. We look forward to working with Ardian and would like to thank Afinum, who will continue to accompany us as a minority investor, for the trust they have placed in us," Jürgen Dlugi – CEO of LIFTKET Hoffmann GmbH.