Houlihan Lokey Advises Max Automation

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that MAX Automation, an investment company listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has agreed to the sale of the MA micro Group, a technology leader for automation solutions focused on medtech applications, to Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), a global Japanese conglomerate. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024.

MAX Automation SE, headquartered in Hamburg, is a medium-sized finance and investment company focused on the management and acquisition of investments in growth and high-cash-flow companies operating in niche markets. The products and solutions of the portfolio companies are used in various end industries and for numerous industrial applications, including automotive, electronics, recycling, raw materials processing, packaging, and medical technology. MAX Automation SE has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2015 (ISIN DE000A2DA588).

MA micro automation is a technology leader for automation solutions within micro-assembly. Through its state-of-the-art proprietary high-speed and high-precision automation know-how, combined with unique optical image inspection capabilities, MA micro automation serves high-growth medtech automation end markets, covering the production, assembly, and testing of medical and optical components, including contact lenses, IVD and diabetes diagnostics consumables, and injection molding for medical use. The company was established in 2003 through a carve-out from Siemens and, since 2013, has been part of the MAX Automation group.

After the acquisition is completed, MA micro automation will join JR Automation Technologies, LLC, a Hitachi group company. JR Automation is a leading provider of intelligent automated manufacturing technology solutions, serving customers across the globe in a variety of industries, including automotive, life sciences, e-mobility, consumer, and industrial products. With more than 20 locations between North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the leading integrator offers nearly 2 million square feet (185,806 sq. m) of available build and engineering floorspace. This acquisition allows JR Automation to further grow and strengthen both the company’s geographical footprint and its continued commitment to expanding support capabilities within the European region and medical market vertical.

The transaction, subject to various customary conditions, in particular the granting of merger control approvals, is expected to be closed in the second half of 2024.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to MAX Automation. The deal team assisted in marketing the transaction, managing the deal process, and negotiating the financial aspects of the transaction on its behalf. This represents another successful transaction for Houlihan Lokey in the factory automation and industrial technology space.