Danish Crane Building sold to Axel Johnson

Transaction

Sell-side

Undisclosed

Role

Adviser to Danish Crane Building on its sale to Axel Johnson

Sector

Industrie et chimie

Region

Danemark

We have advised Danish Crane Building A/S (DCB), a Danish manufacturer of advanced, custom-designed crane solutions, on its sale to Axel Johnson International.

With its head office and production facilities in Nibe, Denmark, DCB was founded in 1983 and has established a strong position as a supplier of bespoke cranes, particularly for the biomass, biogas, waste and process industries. DCB covers the entire value chain in-house, from design and engineering through production to installation, commissioning and subsequent service, and serves both Danish and international customers.

The buyer is Axel Johnson International, a privately owned Swedish industrial group. The group comprises over 200 companies and 6,000 employees in 35 countries, organised into six business areas focusing on technical components and industrial solutions. The acquisition is being made through the Lifting Solutions business area, which specialises in lifting equipment and related services.

With this transaction, Lifting Solutions strengthens its position within technical lifting solutions and adds specialist expertise in automated crane systems for complex industrial environments. DCB’s existing management team will continue and remain committed to the strategic direction, and the acquisition creates a platform for continued growth in both existing and new markets, whilst preserving DCB’s entrepreneurial spirit and specialist focus.

Selling a business is a complex and, at times, gruelling process, which is why it is important to have skilled and experienced advisers by your side every step of the way. Clearwater’s team has been excellent at steering the process with a steady hand – from the initial presentation work right through to the final stages with the buyer, and I am very positive about DCB’s next chapter with Axel Johnson International as the owner.
Richard Pedersen, CEO, Danish Crane Building

We are very pleased with the buyer match we have found. I am confident that Axel Johnson will be able to contribute strong synergies in sales, procurement and processes, and that, with the scale of their organisation and their industrial group behind them, they will be able to accelerate DCB’s internationalisation. I have used Clearwater as an advisor on transactions on several occasions, and as always, I have felt I was in good hands and supported all the way to the finish line by a professional and experienced team.
Kim Weidemann, Chairman of the Board and Co-Shareholder, Danish Crane Building

Over the years, Danish Crane Building has undergone impressive growth as a specialist niche player within the renewable energy sector. With a strong management team, skilled employees and committed owners, the company has succeeded in establishing itself as a prominent business with an attractive market position. We are proud to have advised the owners on the sale and are convinced that Axel Johnson’s Lifting Solutions Division is the right long-term owner to support the next chapter and continued growth.
Carsten Rydahl, Partner, Clearwater