Houlihan Lokey Advises Bencis

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Bencis has acquired a majority stake in Höfer Chemie, a vertically integrated online retailer for household specialty chemicals with own production based in Germany. The transaction closed on 12 April 2022.

Höfer Chemie, headquartered in Kleinblittersdorf, Germany, is a manufacturer and online retailer in the household specialty chemicals market with a vertically integrated business model. Via its e-commerce platform, Höfer Chemie offers a full-range product portfolio, comprising pool chemicals, combustibles, technical chemicals, and cleaning chemicals. The company currently sells its products in Germany, Austria, and France, amongst other European countries.

Bencis is an independent investment company with a 20-year track record in investing in strong, successful businesses in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, with strong expertise in sectors such as industry and manufacturing, food and beverage, business and consumer services, healthcare and leisure, and wholesale and retail. Bencis currently invests in 30 companies that have a total turnover of approximately €1.8 billion worldwide and employ some 10,000 people.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Bencis on the acquisition financing for Höfer Chemie and provided debt advice on all commercial aspects of the financing transaction, supporting Bencis on a tailor-made debt financing structure. Following a comprehensive selection process involving several financing options, the firm helped Bencis secure a competitive financing package with highly attractive pricing and flexible terms to support the company’s growth.

The transaction further highlights Houlihan Lokey’s proven success in arranging financings in the chemicals industry and its continued ability to provide creative, efficient, and comprehensive financing solutions for its clients.