Acquisition of a leading global laser manufacturer

Königstein/Berlin, 10. März 2021 – Silver Investment Partners (SIP) is acquiring a majority stake in Crystal Laser Systems GmbH (CryLaS), a global manufacturer of deep-UV lasers used primarily in the semiconductor, biotechnology and analytical industries. The lasers feature a short wavelength, precise beam parameters and a long lifetime, making them ideal for high-tech applications. They are used, for example, in wafer inspection, labeling of technical optics or molecule processing. This laser field is a demanding special technology in which CryLaS is one of the world’s leading suppliers. As a long-term oriented investor SIP accompanies the expansion of the strong market position and an orderly management succession. The previous main shareholder SHS Gesellschaft für Beteiligungen mbH & Co. Mittelstand KG (SHS) is selling its shareholding. The management of CryLaS retains a minority interest. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

“CryLaS is already one of the leading suppliers in the field of laser systems for wafer inspection. We plan to build on our strong position by expanding our product and service offering and entering into new development partnerships with customers. I am pleased to have Silver Investment Partners as an experienced and entrepreneurial partner at our side for the next step in the company’s development,” says Dr. Helmut Spanner, CEO of CryLaS.

“We have great confidence in Silver Investment Partners, as we consider the investment approach to be very sustainable and value-adding. In addition, the team around Philipp Amereller has known CryLaS for more than ten years through the business relationship of a portfolio company. From the very beginning, we were convinced that Silver Investment Partners is the right partner for CryLaS and therefore gladly accepted the offer of talks”, says Dr. Bernhard Schirmers, founder and managing partner of the
SHS.

CryLaS was founded in 2004 and is based in Berlin. The company manufactures economical and durable lasers for various high-tech industries, mainly semiconductor, biotechnology and analytics. CryLaS products include pulsed lasers that use their short wavelengths to dissolve out molecules or separate cells, for example. In addition, the company offers CW lasers, which are used as continuous beams, especially in laser spectroscopy and wafer inspection. Over the years, CryLaS has developed several market niches and is now one of the leading suppliers in the field of laser systems for wafer inspection.

“CryLaS is in a very strong market position with extensive patents, long-standing customer relationships and an experienced research team. Due to the necessary expert knowledge, the market entry barrier is correspondingly high and the number of direct competitors is low. We look forward to expanding this unique position together with the management team,” says Philipp Amereller, Managing Partner at SIP.

CryLaS serves demanding customers from various industries worldwide, some of which are market leaders in their respective segments. For them, a long service life and high performance of the products are decisive. CryLaS deep-UV lasers feature long-lasting high quality, rugged design and high performance. To ensure this product quality, the company produces in its own high-quality clean rooms. Well-developed manufacturing systems and detailed process documentation allow production to be scaled cost-effectively.

SIP will support CryLaS as an entrepreneurial partner in the expansion of its already strong market position and management succession. The main focus will be on intensive market development and new development partnerships with customers. This will be accompanied by an increase in production volumes and the further development of service offerings and new products. SIP also plans to expand marketing and sales activities in a targeted manner. As an independent investor in equity financing, SIP attaches great importance to supporting portfolio companies in their further development on a long-term and sustainable basis. All portfolio companies benefit from the investor’s expertise and extensive network of experts.

SIP was advised on this transaction by Rödl & Partner (Financial), KWM Europe (Legal and Tax) and Optech Consulting (Commercial).

CryLaS was founded in 2004 and is based in Berlin. The company manufactures continuous wave deep UV lasers for various high-tech industries, including in particular the semiconductor, biotechnology and analytical industries. CryLaS products include pulsed lasers and CW lasers, which are suitable for high-tech applications with their short wavelength, precise beam parameters and long lifetime. Over the years, CryLaS has developed several market niches and is now one of the leading suppliers in the field of laser systems for wafer inspection.

Silver Investment Partners is an independent investor in equity financing for medium-sized companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As an entrepreneurial, experienced and reliable partner, Silver Investment Partners engages in majority and minority investments in companies with revenues between 5 and 100 million euros, with a focus on companies with revenues between 10 and 50 million euros.

The classic investment scenarios for medium-sized companies include succession situations, changes in the shareholder structure, corporate spin-offs and growth financing. The investment strategy focuses on companies in the business services, industrial and manufacturing, software, consumer and retail, healthcare/medical, environmental and related industrial technologies sectors with attractive growth and value creation potential.

Read more here: www.silver-ip.com

Anna-Lena Lämmle
Finsbury Glover Hering
T: +49 69 92 18 74 650
M: +49 151 43 19 72 61
E: anna-lena.laemmle@fgh.com

The Tübingen-based SHS Gesellschaft für Beteiligungsmanagement invests with its funds in medical technology and life science companies with a focus on expansion financing, shareholder changes and succession situations. In doing so, SHS enters into both minority and majority shareholdings. As an experienced industry investor, the company, which was founded in 1993, supports the growth of its portfolio companies through a network of collaborations, for example in the introduction of new products, regulatory issues or entry into additional markets. The German and international investors in SHS funds include professional pension funds, pension funds, strategic investors, funds of funds, family offices, entrepreneurs and the SHS management team. The equity investment of the AIFM-registered company is up to € 30 million, volumes exceeding this can be implemented with a network of co-investors. Currently, SHS is investing from its fifth fund. The fund has received capital commitments of over 130 million euros.

More information: https://www.shs-capital.eu/