Abris exits Patent Co to Austrian RWA
Feed additives business tripled revenues and entered 43 new international markets during investment period
1 February 2022, Korneuburg – Abris Capital Partners, the Central European private equity investor, has signed an agreement to sell its stake in Patent Co, a global provider of animal nutrition solutions, including patented high value-add feed additives, to RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria AG.
Patent Co is the leading animal nutrition business in Central and Eastern Europe and employs around 250 staff across facilities in Southeast Europe. Abris invested in the business at the end of 2015 with a strategy to turn what was at the time an animal nutrition producer operating in 10 local markets into a multinational player with a patented high-margin feed additive portfolio and global distribution reach.
During the investment period, Abris invested in new state-of-the-art factories for compound feed and premixes, tripling capacity and enabling the company to achieve compound annual growth in EBITDA of more than 20%. During this period, Patent Co entered 43 new markets, tripling international sales, which now span six continents.
Pawel Gierynski, Managing Partner at Abris Capital Partners, commented:
“This investment in Patent Co demonstrates our proven track record in driving global expansion across our portfolio and securing international exits that deliver great value for our investors. During our six-year investment, we formed a strong partnership with the senior team at Patent Co, enabling us to transform this local leader into a business that thrives on the global stage. We wish them all the very best in the next chapter of their story with RWA.”
During the investment period, Abris also focused on ESG, implementing best practice corporate governance and establishing strong social and environmental standards. Abris helped Patent Co professionalize its environmental management function, setting out a detailed carbon footprint reduction roadmap. In addition, wide-ranging best practice HR processes were introduced, across anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion, as well as training and development programs.
Milorad Anđelić, Partner, Abris Capital Partners, added:
“We are proud of our partnership with Patent Co, which demonstrates private equity ownership at its best. As part of our support to the exceptional management team, we focused on R&D and the development of an innovative, proprietary additives portfolio, boosting production capacity and investing in international expansion. Furthermore, our ESG expertise enabled the company to become an ESG champion, in Abris’ portfolio and beyond.”
RWA Director General Reinhard Wolf, added:
“With the acquisition of Patent Co, RWA is taking a significant growth step in the core segments of feed and feed supplements. We are convinced that the acquisition will lead to a significant strengthening of the product portfolio and geographical positioning in the feed sector. As such, the future cooperation will leverage even more important innovation, growth and development potential.”
Radivoje Perović, General Director, Patent Co, commented:
“Thanks to our outstanding management team that led the change and to more than 250 dedicated and hardworking people, with the support from our partners, Abris, we have gained a leading position in local markets and a presence in 53 markets around the globe. Now, becoming the part of RWA, we are all looking forward to the new opportunities and to continuing to build our business by focusing on research and further development of the organization.”