The German investment fund AUCTUS Capital Partners announced on July 16 that it had taken a majority stake in LMX Touristik.
If the name sounds familiar, it is likely because the LMX group is already present in France with LMX Voyages, based in Mulhouse and led by Ludovic Rigel.
This operation is set to serve as the starting point for the creation of Mondiani Group, a new European platform dedicated to the tourism sector.
Based in Leipzig, LMX Touristik thus becomes the cornerstone of a European tourism market consolidation project backed by AUCTUS.
The founder of LMX, Markus Hartwig, remains a shareholder in the company, while the current management team stays in place.
If the name sounds familiar, it is likely because the LMX group is already present in France with LMX Voyages, based in Mulhouse and led by Ludovic Rigel.
This operation is set to serve as the starting point for the creation of Mondiani Group, a new European platform dedicated to the tourism sector.
Based in Leipzig, LMX Touristik thus becomes the cornerstone of a European tourism market consolidation project backed by AUCTUS.
The founder of LMX, Markus Hartwig, remains a shareholder in the company, while the current management team stays in place.
LMX, the operational platform of the new group
AUCTUS thus intends to bring together several players in European tourism within a single structure, while preserving their entrepreneurial independence and regional identity, following its buy-and-build investment strategy.
The principle is to build on an existing company, then progressively undertake further acquisitions to form a larger group.
The fund targets independent, founder-led companies, in a sector marked by high fragmentation, succession issues and growing needs for digitalization and scaling.
LMX Touristik thus constitutes the operational backbone of this strategy.
“With AUCTUS, we have found a partner that perfectly matches LMX. Its specialization in Mittelstand companies and its experience in building platforms through buy-and-build strategies provide an ideal foundation for our next development phase“, stated Markus Hartwig, founder of LMX.
For reference, the company, which currently employs 68 people, has developed in the market for conventional package holidays and dynamic packages. Its portfolio also includes the SunTrips brand, specializing in tailor-made long-haul trips.
The group reports revenue above €350 million and more than 400,000 customers per year.
“LMX holds a solid position in the market, a scalable technology base, and an experienced management team. Together, we want to build on these foundations to develop a leading tourism group“, explained Daniel Meuthen, partner at AUCTUS.
The principle is to build on an existing company, then progressively undertake further acquisitions to form a larger group.
The fund targets independent, founder-led companies, in a sector marked by high fragmentation, succession issues and growing needs for digitalization and scaling.
LMX Touristik thus constitutes the operational backbone of this strategy.
“With AUCTUS, we have found a partner that perfectly matches LMX. Its specialization in Mittelstand companies and its experience in building platforms through buy-and-build strategies provide an ideal foundation for our next development phase“, stated Markus Hartwig, founder of LMX.
For reference, the company, which currently employs 68 people, has developed in the market for conventional package holidays and dynamic packages. Its portfolio also includes the SunTrips brand, specializing in tailor-made long-haul trips.
The group reports revenue above €350 million and more than 400,000 customers per year.
“LMX holds a solid position in the market, a scalable technology base, and an experienced management team. Together, we want to build on these foundations to develop a leading tourism group“, explained Daniel Meuthen, partner at AUCTUS.
New acquisitions already envisaged
LMX’s growth is expected to continue in parallel with its integration into the new structure.
Mondiani Group also plans to actively seek new investment opportunities in the European tourism sector.
Lars Ludwig, who currently leads LMX and will become CEO of Mondiani Group, will also be a shareholder of the new entity. “We want to develop Mondiani Group in a targeted manner through new acquisitions and we are open to discussions with potential partners“, he says.
With this operation, AUCTUS thus launches a new consolidation platform in European tourism, taking LMX Touristik as its anchor. The group will now need to pursue organic growth while identifying new companies likely to join its perimeter.
Mondiani Group also plans to actively seek new investment opportunities in the European tourism sector.
Lars Ludwig, who currently leads LMX and will become CEO of Mondiani Group, will also be a shareholder of the new entity. “We want to develop Mondiani Group in a targeted manner through new acquisitions and we are open to discussions with potential partners“, he says.
With this operation, AUCTUS thus launches a new consolidation platform in European tourism, taking LMX Touristik as its anchor. The group will now need to pursue organic growth while identifying new companies likely to join its perimeter.
Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com journalist See all articles by Amelia Brille
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