info@acofima.ch
ACOFIMA is a Swiss investment management company.
ACOFIMA advises several entrepreneur families on investments in small- and medium-sized companies. The focus is on companies requiring increased management effort, e.g. turnaround, carve-out or succession solution. The family investors are long-term oriented and acquire to hold and develop the companies.
Investment criteria
We are comfortable taking majority stakes in companies facing strategic and/or operational challenges. We like to leverage our extensive experience and the capabilities of our expert network to find a future for businesses in need of a turn-around, carve-outs from multinational firms, spin-offs from industry consolidations and family businesses without successors.
We are looking for established industrial, consumer or services businesses with a history, headquartered in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands or Scandinavia.
Target companies typically have revenues in the 10 to 80 million Swiss Franc or Euro range, dependent on the sector. The purchase price could be negative and up to 25 million Francs / Euros.
We do not acquire real estate businesses. We do not provide venture capital for start-ups or growth capital for minority stakes.
Investment philosophy
“Warm heart, agile hands and alert mind”.
We feel responsible for the businesses we own, in particular for their employees. We acquire companies to make a profit but we are also aware of the contribution and impact of companies on communities and the environment. We aim to operate in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner.
Sellers experience us as reliable and professional partners who treat projects confidentially and professionally. We understand that the seller’s reputation is of utmost importance. We have lean decision-making processes and can execute transactions quickly.
We value the loyalty and depth of experience and know-how of the existing workforce with a long employment history. In our experience nothing is more motivating for a target company’s management and employees than the perspective of a turnaround and better future. We therefore prefer working closely with existing management and staff.
Innovation is key for sustainable growth. We view R&D as a crucial investment, not a cost to be cut. We are open to new ideas for new products, new production techniques, new markets, new business models, etc.
Team
We are united by a passion for finding solutions for companies facing major challenges through entrepreneurship, diligence, courage and dedication. In doing so, we want to make a positive contribution to the economy, society and the environment.
The ACOFIMA team combines many years of experience in leadership, restructuring, financing and operational realignment of companies as well as M&A transactions.
Our culture is based on professionalism, authenticity and responsibility.
Dietmar Gundel
Managing Director
Dietmar Gundel has extensive experience in the development and restructuring of companies as well as in the execution of international M&A and corporate finance transactions.
Among others, Dietmar was a partner at Navigator Capital, a partner at Remaco, co-founder and CFO of CallistoGen and a member of the executive board of The Genetics Company. He started his career in the M&A advisory department of Rothschild & Cie.
Dietmar holds a Diplôme de Grande Ecole de Commerce from ESCP Europe, a French business school. He is fluent in German, French, English and Spanish.
Benoit Dauchin
Senior Advisor
Benoit Dauchin is based in Geneva and a senior advisor to ACOFIMA.
He has held various executive leadership positions, mostly in consumer goods and retail, and has built a track record in conducting high pace & high impact transformations.
Over the last years he has directed towards private equity, bringing his managerial and operational experience to enable profitable growth. Lately he has been leading the turnaround of luggage manufacturer Rimowa, post-acquisition by LVMH.
He currently serves LCatterton and LVMH as a non-exec director of Princess Yachts, a UK based luxury boats manufacturer.
Ingo Kübler
Senior Advisor
Ingo Kübler is an experienced entrepreneur and manager in the international industrial sector.
As member of the board of directors of international companies such as Huber+Suhner, Sefar and as CEO of EgoKiefer he acquired profound experience in restructuring, production optimization and development of new markets.
Ingo Kübler is Swiss and holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering of the ETH in Zurich and an MBA of INSEAD at Fontainebleau/Paris. He is fluent in German, French, English and Italian.
Sylvain Poët
Senior Advisor
Sylvain Poët is a senior advisor to ACOFIMA. He is based in the Paris region and has significant experience in operations, supply chain management and procurement.
Sylvain has worked for global companies in the food industry, like Coca-Cola, Cadbury and Suntory.
He has participated to several acquisitions as senior advisor (Carambar & Co, Michel et Augustin, Routin,…), to conduct the change and share his expertise to provide sustainable growth.
He is also entrepreneur in the spirit and wine business for the last 10 years. He has a diploma of Ingénieur des Arts et Métiers.
Careers
We are looking for motivated employees who want to shape the company with us.
ACOFIMA offers:
- real development opportunities;
- flexible working hours;
- flexible work locations;
- and the chance to take on responsibility.
Recognition, respect and a working atmosphere in which you feel comfortable are a matter of course for us.
Contact us if you have any questions
info@acofima.ch