Deal announcement

goetzpartners advised the shareholders of Charge Construct GmbH

20. February 2024

goetzpartners advised the shareholders of Charge Construct GmbH on the sale to the ace Group

goetzpartners was mandated as exclusive M&A advisor by the shareholders of Charge Construct GmbH ("Charge Construct"), a project development company in the high-power charging segment, on the sale to the advanced clean energy Group ("ace Group"), a newly founded full-service partner for renewable energy solutions.

The ace Group combines the three industry champions ADLER Smart Solutions, HMB and Charge Construct to form Germany's largest full-service partner for long-term customers in the field of renewable energy solutions. The merger of this trio of experts under the umbrella of the new holding company is the next chapter in the success story of the three companies and the Munich-based growth investor EMERAM.

The ace Group has reached an important milestone with the acquisition of Ingolstadt-based project developer Charge Construct, which specializes in the construction of fast-charging infrastructure: Founded in 2020 by Adrian Zierer and Tim Schwenk, the start-up provides all services along the e-mobility value chain, from site acquisition, planning and project development to construction, installation, and operation. Since 2020, Charge Construct has installed more than 1,100 charging points at more than 220 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its largest customers include EnBW, IONITY, Citywatt and Numbat. Tim Schwenk will continue to manage Charge Construct's business under the umbrella of the ace Group, while Adrian Zierer will remain with the group as an advisor.

Tim Schwenk, founder and CEO of Charge Construct: "Within the ace Group, Charge Construct bundles extensive expertise and know how in the construction of HPC charging parks. With the ace Group and EMERAM, we have found partners who enable us to continue to operate independently in the market and at the same time support us on our growth path. Together with ADLER Smart Solutions and HMB, we are now even more powerful and cover all regions in Germany for our customers."

Matthias Obermeyr, Partner at EMERAM: "With the ace Group, we are implementing our strategy of offering the market the maximum expertise of all companies under the umbrella of a powerful holding company. For our customers, this means smart full service based on the three pillars of PV systems, charging infrastructure and battery storage. This is the logical next step for the ace Group to develop into one of the largest players in the field of renewable energies in the European market. The addition of the specialist Charge Construct to the ace Group is an important milestone on our path. In addition to its dynamic, organic growth, the ace Group is also aiming for further growth through acquisitions. We are actively monitoring the market for companies that are interested in joining the ace Group."

The three companies in the ace Group already have more than 250 employees working towards achieving the clean energy transition. The total turnover target for this year is around EUR 150 million. With organic and inorganic growth revenues of EUR 500 million are targeted for 2027. The three companies work closely together as a team and are expanding their respective operating businesses in their existing markets with the aim of achieving significant growth.

goetzpartners acted as sole and exclusive M&A sell-side advisor to the shareholders of Charge Construct. The transaction further underlines our competence in advising M&A transactions in the fast-growing e-mobility and renewable space.

About Charge Construct
Charge Construct was founded in Ingolstadt and operates as a fully integrated project developer for high-power charging infrastructure in the e-mobility segment, specializing in construction services. The company provides an integrated offering along the e-mobility value chain, from site acquisition, planning and project development to construction, installation, and operation. Charge Construct operates in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and customers include EnBW, IONITY, Citywatt and Numbat. The company has offices in Ingolstadt and Hamburg.

About the ace Group
The advanced clean energy Group ("ace Group") was founded in Hamburg to bundle innovative full-service providers of renewable energy solutions for the B2B market. ADLER Smart Solutions, HMB and Charge Construct are currently cooperating under the umbrella of the growing group. The ace Group targets strategic customers in the DACH region and in the Netherlands. The group is one of the largest providers of planning, consulting and implementation services for photovoltaic systems, fast-charging infrastructure, and battery storage systems for solar power.

About EMERAM
EMERAM is one of the leading investment managers for medium-sized companies in German-speaking countries. Funds advised by EMERAM provide more than 500 million euros of capital for the development of growing companies. The portfolio includes companies from the technology/software, value-added services and new consumer staples sectors. EMERAM acts as a long-term business development partner for its companies and promotes the sustainable growth (organic and inorganic) of the portfolio companies. In addition, the company focuses on the implementation of holistic ESG concepts.
Currently, the portfolio contains six platform investments with cumulatively more than 2,500 employees. The companies continuously achieve double-digit organic sales growth. In addition, a total of 30 add-on acquisitions accelerated the growth and enabled international expansion.

Transaction Team:

Dr. Jan-Hendrik Röver
Managing Director
Email

Matthias Volk
Director

Dr. Josefine Böhm
Associate Director

Frieder Rieker
Associate

Christian Harms
Analyst

Friedemann Salisch
Principal