DBAG's Ding Group bolts on Iska Schön

Harriet Matthews
20 March 2020

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Ding Group, a buy-and-build platform of Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG), has acquired civil engineering company Iska Schön as part of the GP's strategy in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors.

Iska Schön is the second add-on for Ding, the GP said in a statement, following the acquisition of STG Braunsberg in September 2019.

DBAG invested in STG via DBAG Expansion Capital Fund, which held a final close on €242m in June 2011. The GP also invested €14m from its balance sheet, injecting €14m for a 36% stake in the business. DBAG holds a majority stake in the company, combining the investments from its balance sheet and the fund.

In February 2020, STG bought a majority stake in market peer IMD in a deal financed from STG's balance sheet, as reported by Unquote.

STG employs 90 people and reported sales of around €20m in 2018. It focuses on clients from the telecommunications industry.

DBAG is currently on the road for DBAG Fund VIII, which anticipates a final close in Q3 2020 and is targeting €1.1bn, as reported by Unquote.

Company
Iska Schön specialises in civil engineering and fibre-optic infrastructure projects. In the field of underground civil engineering, the company provides installation services for projects including sewer construction and pipeline engineering. Its telecommunications services include the installation and maintenance of fibre-optic networks. The company's client base includes energy suppliers, municipalities and construction companies.

Founded in 1961 and based in Holzkirchen, Iska Schön employs 200 staff and reported 2018 revenues of €33m, with profit of €3.5m, according to Northdata.

People
Iska Schön – Mike Schön (managing director).
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG – Ragnar Geerdts (managing director, member of the managing board).

Advisers
Company – Livingstone, Johannes Faber (M&A).