Country for PR: United Kingdom
Contributor: PR Newswire Europe
Tuesday, December 14 2021 - 21:40
AsiaNet
Koerber and KKR form strategic partnership to build a global supply chain software champion
HAMBURG, FRANKFURT, Germany and LONDON Dec. 14 2021, /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

Strategic partnership to create enhanced end-to-end capabilities for customers 
amid increasing supply chain complexity

Koerber, an international technology group, and KKR, a leading global 
investment firm, today announced that KKR has acquired a significant minority 
stake in Koerber's supply chain software business. This strategic partnership 
is expected to enable Koerber's supply chain software business to become a 
global leader with enhanced end-to-end solutions for customers worldwide. 
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

Koerber's supply chain software business is among the top three global 
warehouse management software providers, delivering customers with 
differentiated warehouse management solutions (WMS) for varying operational 
complexities through software, voice and robotics solutions. With over 1,300 
employees, the business has grown significantly over recent years, serving a 
diversified mix of more than 4,200 customers in different industries across 
over 70 countries.

Structural trends and market forces, including e-commerce, multi-channel, and 
micro-fulfilment, are amplifying the need for digital solutions to handle 
increased volume and overcome greater supply chain complexity. 

KKR will work with Koerber's supply chain software business to pursue organic 
and inorganic growth strategies to expand the company's geographic footprint, 
accelerate the transition to SaaS, automation and robotics, as well as to 
develop innovative digital solutions to support customers amid increasing 
warehouse automation and supply chain localization. 

Stephan Seifert, CEO of the Koerber Group, said: "I'm excited about this 
strategic partnership and the tremendous business opportunities evolving out of 
it. It is in Koerber's DNA to identify and develop attractive growth areas. 
With our supply chain software offerings, we strive to have a rich end-to-end 
application suite that provides enhanced software solutions to our customers 
all around the world. With KKR we have found a great business partner to 
accelerate our growth for supply chain software across additional products and 
regions. Always with one clear vision: market leadership through technology 
leadership for the benefit of our customers."

Christian Ollig, Head of KKR for DACH, and Jean-Pierre Saad, Head of Technology 
for Private Equity in EMEA at KKR, commented: "A seamless and highly automated 
supply chain is business critical for enterprises of all sizes and we see 
significant growth potential in this market. Koerber's supply chain software 
business is already one of the leading providers with excellent expertise and 
capabilities in WMS including robotics and voice, led by an industry-leading 
management team. We look forward to the strategic partnership with Koerber and 
to leveraging our experience of growth acceleration with global software 
businesses, as well as partnering with management, to help Koerber's supply 
chain software business reach its full potential in this attractive market."

Chad Collins, CEO Software, Koerber Business Area Supply Chain, says: "The 
strategic partnership with KKR is a great opportunity for us and we look 
forward to working with them and to drawing on their vast experience and track 
record of investing in and scaling software businesses globally. This will 
allow us to significantly accelerate our growth plan to build a global champion 
in supply chain software."

KKR's investment comes from its flagship European private equity fund, KKR 
European Partners Fund V, which has a long track-record in strategic 
partnerships with founders, corporates and management teams. KKR is one of the 
most active investors focused on building leading global technology 
enterprises, with global tech investments including Cegid, Exact Software, 
Cloudera, Darktrace, MYOB, Onestream, Epicor, iValua, Visma, among others. 
Across DACH, KKR has been investing on the ground for over 20 years primarily 
through strategic partnership deals such as in Axel Springer, Scout24, Wella, 
Unzer and SoftwareOne.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory 
approvals.

About Koerber

We are Koerber - an international technology group with about 10,000 employees, 
more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We turn entrepreneurial 
thinking into customer success and shape the technological change. In the 
Business Areas Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco, we offer 
products, solutions and services that inspire. We act fast to customer needs, 
we execute ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations, we create added value 
for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that 
solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Koerber AG is the holding company 
of the Koerber Group.

About Koerber's Business Area Supply Chain 

In the Business Area Koerber Supply Chain, we have a broad range of proven 
supply chain solutions to fit our customers' size, business strategy and 
appetite for growth. Our customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain 
thanks to our portfolio that includes software, automation, voice solutions, 
robotics and material handling - plus the systems integration expertise to tie 
it all together. Koerber helps to manage the supply chain as a competitive 
advantage.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset 
management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate 
attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment 
approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio 
companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private 
equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge 
funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance 
products under the management of The Global Atlantic Financial Group. 
References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored 
funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. 
Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter 
@KKR_Co.

Further information is available at www.koerber-supplychain.com and 
www.koerber.com/en

Contact Koerber:  

Business media

Matthias Mezele
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Koerber AG
Tel.: +49 40 211 07 364
Mob.: +49 173 75 19 148
E-Mail: matthias.mezele@koerber.de

Trade media

Heather Smith
Director Corporate Communications and Brand
Koerber Supply Chain - Software
Tel.: +1.800.328.3271-2717 
Mob.: +1.605.203.0605
E-Mail: heather.smith@koerber-supplychain.com

Contact KKR: Germany & Switzerland

Finsbury Glover Hering
Thea Bichmann 
Tel: +49 172 13 99 761
E-Mail: kkr_germany@fgh.com

Finsbury Glover Hering 
Emily Lagemann
Tel: +49 160 992 713 35
E-Mail: kkr_germany@fgh.com

SOURCE: Koerber AG