DT Swiss completes founder succession transaction and refinancing

DT Swiss AG

DT Swiss International AG is a leading global manufacturer of premium bicycle wheel components and complete wheel systems. Headquartered in Biel, Switzerland, the company is recognized for its engineering excellence and precision manufacturing of high-performance wheels, hubs, rims and spokes, serving OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide.

The Deal

Lincoln International served as the exclusive advisor to the founders and management of DT Swiss on the structuring and execution of a succession solution for one of the founders, combined with the expansion of the shareholder base to include members of the DT Swiss management team. The transaction represents an important milestone for DT Swiss, ensuring continuity of ownership while supporting the company’s next phase of growth. Lincoln ran a competitive lender process involving a broad group of financing partners and worked closely with DT Swiss and its shareholders to structure, arrange and negotiate a tailored financing package provided by a Swiss bank club. The new facilities refinance the group’s existing debt and provide additional financial flexibility to support key strategic priorities, including product development, manufacturing excellence, carbon wheel capabilities and international expansion. The successful outcome underscores the strength of the DT Swiss brand, the resilience of its business model and lenders’ confidence in the company’s long-term growth trajectory.

Our Perspective

Øyvind Bjordal, Managing Director and Head of Switzerland at Lincoln International who led the transaction, commented, “We are pleased to have supported the founders, the management team and DT Swiss on this important transaction. DT Swiss has built a distinctive global brand rooted in Swiss engineering, product innovation and performance. This new financing structure gives the company the flexibility to continue investing in innovative products, manufacturing capabilities and long-term growth under the continued leadership of its shareholders and management team.”

Dominik Spanier, Lincoln International Managing Director and Head of Debt Advisory (DACH), commented, “This transaction is a good example of Lincoln’s integrated mergers and acquisitions and capital advisory capabilities. By running a competitive financing process and engaging with a broad group of lenders, we were able to secure a tailored bank club financing that supports DT Swiss’ shareholder transition while giving the company additional flexibility for its next phase of growth.”

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