Deutsche Private Equity (DPE) acquires majority stake in the FOGTEC Group from Founding Shareholders and M Cap Finance Mittelstandsfonds

FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH is a leading, innovative and fast-growing provider of fire protection systems based on high-pressure water mist technology for buildings, industrial facilities, data centers, tunnels, railway stations and rail vehicles. FOGTEC’s product and service portfolio ranges from nozzles, pumps and valves to sensors and control technology, as well as engineering, installation, maintenance and spare parts for complete fire protection systems. With approximately 255 employees across locations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the company is targeting revenue of approximately €70 million in 2026.

The company is well positioned to benefit from strong structural growth in the fire protection market, driven by increasingly stringent safety and environmental requirements as well as emerging fire risks in rapidly growing end markets such as data centers, battery storage, energy infrastructure and modern rail systems.

The Deal

The founding shareholders of FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH, together with M Cap Finance Mittelstandsfonds, have agreed to sell a majority stake in FOGTEC to a fund managed by Deutsche Private Equity (DPE), a leading growth investor focused on mid-sized companies in the DACH region. FOGTEC’s management team will retain a significant shareholding in the company and continue to lead the business through its next phase of growth.

Lincoln International acted as financial advisor in connection with the transaction, supporting the shareholders and management throughout the sale process. Leveraging its deep expertise in industrial technology, fire and life safety and engineered systems, Lincoln highlighted FOGTEC’s differentiated market positioning, technological leadership and attractive growth prospects to prospective investors, resulting in a partnership with DPE to support the company’s next stage of development.

Under the new shareholding structure, FOGTEC plans to accelerate its international expansion, further strengthen its application-focused sales capabilities and expand its service and spare parts business across its large installed base. Additional investments in research and development, certifications and organizational capabilities are expected to support the company’s organic growth, complemented by selective acquisitions.

Dirk K. Sprakel, founder and Chairman of the Management Board of FOGTEC, commented, “Since its foundation, FOGTEC has grown internationally and continuously developed new applications for the water mist technology. For the next stage of our development, we were looking for a partner who takes a long-term perspective, understands our technological focus and supports our growth plans. DPE meets these requirements ideally. Our great team has gained a new expert partner and will remain to be the core of our activities.”

Fabian Rücker, Partner at DPE, commented, “As a pioneer in the field of high-pressure water mist, FOGTEC combines a high level of technical expertise with a strong position in a growing market, making the company an excellent fit with our investment approach. We were particularly impressed by the quality of the management team and its ability to translate technological leadership into new applications.”

Our Perspective

Michael Drill, Lincoln International Managing Director and CEO of Germany who led the transaction, commented, “The transition of FOGTEC from a founder-led business to a partnership with DPE marks an important milestone in the company’s development. The transaction underlines Lincoln’s expertise in advising shareholders on complex growth transactions and our ability to combine deep industrial technology expertise with a highly targeted global investor approach to identify the right partner to support FOGTEC’s next phase of international growth.”

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