In 2018, Chinese companies once again bought less in Europe, including in Austria. This emerges from a study by the consultant EY. Across Europe, the number of acquisitions and participations fell by 21 percent to 196, in Austria from five to three. The largest domestic deal was the purchase of the majority stake in Wolford by Fosun for a total of around EUR 75 million.
In second place was the takeover of the Upper Austrian crane manufacturer Voith by Eurocrane China by about 49 million euros. The third transaction was the entry of a Ming Capital-led investor round of around 25 million euros in the biotech company Miracor, which has now moved to Belgium.
The second largest – not yet completed – deal in Europe concerns the Atomic mother Amer Sports. An investor group led by Chinese Anta Sports wants to take over Amer. In addition to the Salzburg ski manufacturer Atomic, the Finnish sports equipment manufacturer also includes Wilson tennis rackets and Salomon hiking boots. EY puts the transaction value at $ 6.3 billion (€ 5.49 billion).
Entry at Daimler was the biggest transaction
Largest transaction was the entry of Geely at Daimler with almost ten percent by $ 8.9 billion (based on the share price at the time of the voting right announcement). Number three was the complete takeover of Italian mobile operator Wind Tre by CK Hutchinson for $ 2.9 billion.
According to Eva-Maria Berchtold, Head of Transaction Advisory Services at EY Austria, Austria is not expecting a large-scale shopping spree in Austria, as was the case in many European countries in 2016. „However, it can be assumed that the interest of Chinese investors in the Austrian economy and especially domestic niche market leaders will continue in the coming years.“
