H.I.G. Capital, a prominent American investment firm based in Miami, has recently expanded its presence in Europe through two significant deals in Germany and France. Managing $67 billion in capital, H.I.G. is focusing on established European manufacturers as transatlantic investment activity rises.
In Germany, H.I.G. has secured a strategic stake in HELLER Group, a historic machine tool manufacturer with over 2,600 employees worldwide. Announced on February 4, this partnership allows the Heller family to maintain substantial ownership while benefiting from H.I.G.'s financial resources. HELLER specializes in CNC machine tools and operates five production facilities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO of HELLER, emphasized the goal of enhancing their status as a market leader in innovation.
The German manufacturing sector has encountered challenges recently, prompting many family-owned companies to seek external investment for modernization. H.I.G.'s involvement aims to address these needs and support growth.
In a separate move on February 27, H.I.G.'s credit arm provided financing to CCE Group, a French aerospace supplier. CCE, which produces equipment for aircraft cabins and cargo holds, was spun off from Safran in 2023 and is currently owned by Hivest Capital Partners. The company manufactures airline trolleys and galley equipment at its French facilities. CEO Klaus Hofmann expressed confidence in accelerating CCE's vision of becoming a leader in the integrated cabin and cargo market, as the aviation industry rebounds from pandemic disruptions.
H.I.G.'s recent European investments reflect a broader trend of American firms increasing their footprint in the region. Analysts attribute this growth to competitive valuations compared to the U.S. market and the availability of established businesses seeking growth capital. H.I.G. employs over 500 investment professionals across 19 global offices, including key locations in London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, and Luxembourg.
Since establishing its first European office in London in 1996, H.I.G. has consistently expanded its operations on the continent. Pascal Meysson, Head of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, noted their preference for supporting market leaders, as seen in the CCE investment. The firm typically targets mid-market businesses across various sectors, including manufacturing, services, healthcare, and technology.
Since its inception in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in over 400 companies globally, with a current portfolio of more than 100 companies generating combined sales exceeding $53 billion. Additionally, the firm completed the acquisition of U.S.-based Patriot Pickle in January, underscoring its ongoing investment activity on both sides of the Atlantic.
