Silverfleet Capital invests in specialist medical workwear supplier, 7days

7days is a leading supplier of fashionable medical workwear used by healthcare professionals across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Silverfleet Capital, the Pan-European private equity firm that specialises in buy-to-build, has entered into a binding contract with Odewald KMU and the founders to acquire a majority stake in the 7days group (“7days” or the “Company”), a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of medical workwear. Completion is subject to regulatory approval and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The founders will reinvest alongside Silverfleet Capital and remain with the Company.

Founded in 1999 by Marc Staperfeld and Ulrich Doelken and based in Lotte, Germany, 7days is a vertically integrated online and mail order business, which supplies clothing and accessories to the healthcare industry, specifically medical practices and dentists.

The Company offers a comprehensive product portfolio designed exclusively for medical professionals that includes tunics, tops (polo shirts, sweatshirts etc.), trousers, lab coats, shoes and accessories. 7days continuously tailors its portfolio, which currently comprises over 2,600 products, to customer requirements and offers a high degree of customisation with a focus on quality and value for money. The Company’s design studio and procurement departments are based in Lotte, Germany with production facilities in Tangier, Morocco.

7days markets its products through online (web-shop, newsletters) and offline (catalogues) channels and can execute orders online or by phone or fax.

Silverfleet Capital’s investment will enable 7days to increase its market penetration in Germany, further expand in existing international markets, enter new geographies such as Scandinavia and move into new customer segments.

7days represents the second German acquisition by Silverfleet Capital in the second half of 2017 and the seventh investment completed in Silverfleet Capital’s current fund. This transaction follows Silverfleet Capital’s recent announcement that it has acquired a majority stake in Riviera Travel, a leading specialist holiday operator offering a global portfolio of escorted tours and cruises.

Joachim Braun, Partner at Silverfleet Capital with responsibility for Silverfleet Capital’s operations in Germany, Switzerland and Austria (“DACH”) commented: “7days is a textbook investment for us – a leading service provider with a strong brand and loyal customer base operating in a specialised and fast-growing international market. We look forward to working closely with Marc and his talented management team to continue developing the business.”

Marc Staperfeld, founder and CEO of 7days added: “I have been privileged to lead 7days through significant growth since founding the business in 1999 and I am delighted Silverfleet Capital will be joining us as we embark on the next stage in our development. Silverfleet is the ideal partner for 7days as their pan-European presence and extensive investment experience will be invaluable as we look to execute on our growth plan. They clearly share our vision for expansion and a belief in the values that have been fundamental to the company’s success.”

The Silverfleet Capital team that worked on the transaction included Joachim Braun, Benjamin Hubner, Jennifer Regehr and Jan Kux, who are based in Silverfleet Capital’s Munich office.

Silverfleet Capital was advised by Alvarez & Marsal (financial), goetzpartners (commercial), Noerr (corporate legal), Shearman & Sterling (banking legal), Deloitte (tax), Herter & Co. (debt advisory), eccelerate (digital/online), KPMG (M&A) and Marsh (insurance).