NORD Holding Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Hanover, in a move to boost expansion has taken a stake as a silent partner in Eckhardt Marine GmbH, Hamburg.

Eckhardt Marine is Europe’s leading recycler of large cargo and passenger ships. During the course of its more than 100 year history Eckhardt Marine has established itself as the market leader in its special field of the maritime economy and can therefore draw upon decades of experience and a well-established global network to all main players in the shipbreaking industry.

 Günther Werle and Briac Beilvert, the two managing partners, acquired the company in 2005 as part of a management buy-out from the ThysennKrupp Group. In order to implement expansion plans NORD Holding has now been brought on board as a strong finance partner to boost turnover over the next few years to over € 100 mil. The company will be actively supported by Hartmut Bendlin, partner at the Hamburg management consultants ConsultingKontor.

 “This is the first step in a long-term cooperation. The focus will be on expanding international business at Eckhardt Marine and broadening the service portfolio”, stated a NORD Holding spokesperson.

With almost 40 year’s experience NORD Holding is one of the leading private equity companies providing structuring and funding of succession profiles for SMEs. At present the company has holdings in roughly 50 companies in Germany and German-speaking countries.

In addition NORD Holding is also involved in expansion group funding for medium-sized companies. The silent partnership is a suitable instrument especially for family-run enterprises as capital can be raised without having to sell shares. In contrast to the majority of other financial investors who manage only temporary funds, NORD Holding operates as a so-called “evergreen” without any time limitation.

A particular focus is the spin-off of medium-sized business units from corporations. This leads to the establishment of new medium-sized companies to counteract current concentration trends in the economy.

For further information please contact:

NORD Holding Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft mbH - Ulrike Leistner

Telephone:           +49 511 270415-12

Telefax:               +49 511 270415-5

E-mail:                 leistner...@...nordholding.de

Postal address:     Villa Venture - Walderseestraße 232 - 30177 Hannover - GERMANY 

Photo 1: Matthias Kues, CEO, NORD Holding

Photo 2: Villa Venture, Hanover, NORD Holding's headquaters