PR93677

HAMBURG, FRANKFURT, Germany and LONDON Dec. 14 2021, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Strategic partnership to create enhanced end-to-end capabilities for customers

amid increasing supply chain complexity

Koerber, an international technology group, and KKR, a leading global

investment firm, today announced that KKR has acquired a significant minority

stake in Koerber's supply chain software business. This strategic partnership

is expected to enable Koerber's supply chain software business to become a

global leader with enhanced end-to-end solutions for customers worldwide.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Koerber's supply chain software business is among the top three global

warehouse management software providers, delivering customers with

differentiated warehouse management solutions (WMS) for varying operational

complexities through software, voice and robotics solutions. With over 1,300

employees, the business has grown significantly over recent years, serving a

diversified mix of more than 4,200 customers in different industries across

over 70 countries.

Structural trends and market forces, including e-commerce, multi-channel, and

micro-fulfilment, are amplifying the need for digital solutions to handle

increased volume and overcome greater supply chain complexity.

KKR will work with Koerber's supply chain software business to pursue organic

and inorganic growth strategies to expand the company's geographic footprint,

accelerate the transition to SaaS, automation and robotics, as well as to

develop innovative digital solutions to support customers amid increasing

warehouse automation and supply chain localization.

Stephan Seifert, CEO of the Koerber Group, said: "I'm excited about this

strategic partnership and the tremendous business opportunities evolving out of

it. It is in Koerber's DNA to identify and develop attractive growth areas.

With our supply chain software offerings, we strive to have a rich end-to-end

application suite that provides enhanced software solutions to our customers

all around the world. With KKR we have found a great business partner to

accelerate our growth for supply chain software across additional products and

regions. Always with one clear vision: market leadership through technology

leadership for the benefit of our customers."

Christian Ollig, Head of KKR for DACH, and Jean-Pierre Saad, Head of Technology

for Private Equity in EMEA at KKR, commented: "A seamless and highly automated

supply chain is business critical for enterprises of all sizes and we see

significant growth potential in this market. Koerber's supply chain software

business is already one of the leading providers with excellent expertise and

capabilities in WMS including robotics and voice, led by an industry-leading

management team. We look forward to the strategic partnership with Koerber and

to leveraging our experience of growth acceleration with global software

businesses, as well as partnering with management, to help Koerber's supply

chain software business reach its full potential in this attractive market."

Chad Collins, CEO Software, Koerber Business Area Supply Chain, says: "The

strategic partnership with KKR is a great opportunity for us and we look

forward to working with them and to drawing on their vast experience and track

record of investing in and scaling software businesses globally. This will

allow us to significantly accelerate our growth plan to build a global champion

in supply chain software."

KKR's investment comes from its flagship European private equity fund, KKR

European Partners Fund V, which has a long track-record in strategic

partnerships with founders, corporates and management teams. KKR is one of the

most active investors focused on building leading global technology

enterprises, with global tech investments including Cegid, Exact Software,

Cloudera, Darktrace, MYOB, Onestream, Epicor, iValua, Visma, among others.

Across DACH, KKR has been investing on the ground for over 20 years primarily

through strategic partnership deals such as in Axel Springer, Scout24, Wella,

Unzer and SoftwareOne.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory

approvals.

About Koerber

We are Koerber - an international technology group with about 10,000 employees,

more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We turn entrepreneurial

thinking into customer success and shape the technological change. In the

Business Areas Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco, we offer

products, solutions and services that inspire. We act fast to customer needs,

we execute ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations, we create added value

for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that

solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Koerber AG is the holding company

of the Koerber Group.

About Koerber's Business Area Supply Chain

In the Business Area Koerber Supply Chain, we have a broad range of proven

supply chain solutions to fit our customers' size, business strategy and

appetite for growth. Our customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain

thanks to our portfolio that includes software, automation, voice solutions,

robotics and material handling - plus the systems integration expertise to tie

it all together. Koerber helps to manage the supply chain as a competitive

advantage.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset

management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate

attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment

approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio

companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private

equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge

funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance

products under the management of The Global Atlantic Financial Group.

References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored

funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co.

Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter

@KKR_Co.

Further information is available at www.koerber-supplychain.com and

www.koerber.com/en

Contact Koerber:  

Business media

Matthias Mezele

Senior Manager Corporate Communications

Koerber AG

Tel.: +49 40 211 07 364

Mob.: +49 173 75 19 148

E-Mail: matthias.mezele@koerber.de

Trade media

Heather Smith

Director Corporate Communications and Brand

Koerber Supply Chain - Software

Tel.: +1.800.328.3271-2717

Mob.: +1.605.203.0605

E-Mail: heather.smith@koerber-supplychain.com

Contact KKR: Germany & Switzerland

Finsbury Glover Hering

Thea Bichmann

Tel: +49 172 13 99 761

E-Mail: kkr_germany@fgh.com

Finsbury Glover Hering

Emily Lagemann

Tel: +49 160 992 713 35

E-Mail: kkr_germany@fgh.com

SOURCE: Koerber AG