German financial investor acquires the thermoforming and packaging specialist

• Ownership was transferred on August 1^st after the contract was signed (Closing on 31.07.2024)
• The new ILLIG packaging solutions GmbH continues the business with thermoforming and packaging systems and services

Heilbronn, 02.08.2024 – The acquisition of ILLIG, German specialist for thermoforming and packaging, by the German financial investor Orlando Capital was completed on August 1, 2024. In the course of the self-administered restructuring proceedings initiated in April 2024, the company, together with the restructuring experts of Grub Brugger (Stuttgart) and the administrator Dr. Tibor Braun of IBK Illig Braun Kirschnek Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB (Stuttgart), succeeded in finding an investor for the continuation of business operations and the strategic realignment of the company. Following the signing on July 17, 2024, the requirements of the investor concept were met by all parties. As a result, the agreement on the transfer of the company to the future ILLIG packaging solutions GmbH became formally effective on July 31, 2024.

ILLIG packaging solutions GmbH will take over all tasks of ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG and continue the global business under the well-known ILLIG brand. The product portfolio of thermoforming and packaging systems and services will be retained in all sales regions worldwide. ILLIG systems will still be assembled at the headquarters in Heilbronn and at the Romanian plant in Sibiu. ILLIG's range of services includes the development, design, assembly and commissioning of complex production lines and tools in the field of thermoforming and packaging systems. The focus here is on packaging development: together with its customers, ILLIG develops solutions for sustainable and recyclable plastics and cardboard packaging. ILLIG's core competence also includes thermoforming systems for heavy-gauge parts, which are mainly used in logistics and industrial applications.

The investor Orlando Capital has put in substantial cash to establish ILLIG as a market leader in the long term. The takeover will be financed exclusively with equity and aims to achieve a very high equity ratio. The training of young specialists in Heilbronn is also to be continued.

The continuation of business operations is an important message for ILLIG customers and business partners worldwide. The company now expects a significant upswing in business with new machines in particular, which had slowed down in recent months due to the situation.

The ILLIG management is optimistic about the upcoming months: "We will intensify our sales activities in the global markets again and strengthen our relationships with our customers. At the same time, we need to make our processes and the supply chain at our headquarters in Heilbronn even more efficient in order to remain competitive in the long term. With the tailwind of a financially strong and experienced investor, we will be able to invest more in the development of new technologies and innovations. At the same time, we are focusing even more strongly on international growth and the further development of strategically important product areas and markets."

In September 2024, ILLIG will be presenting a new product for sustainable packaging at the Fachpack trade fair in Nuremberg, once again demonstrating its technological leadership and innovative strength. With a system for processing dry natural fibres, the company is expanding its portfolio of high-performance packaging machines and underlining its commitment to supporting customers worldwide in reducing the use of plastics and developing resource-saving and recyclable packaging solutions.