Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) signed an agreement with private equity group AURELIUS for the sale of the entire LSG Group business. The divestment of the catering segment is part of the Lufthansa Group’s strategy to focus more  on its airline business in the future. 

The carve-out transaction includes all classic catering, onboard retail and food commerce  activities and brands of the LSG Group, with all 131 LSG Sky Chefs Customer Service Centers (CSCs) in the Americas (U.S. and Latin America), EMMA (Emerging Markets) and Asia-Pacific  regions, plus onboard retail expert Retail InMotion (RiM), based in Europe, and SCIS Air  Security Services in the U.S. It combines a total of around 19,000 employees worldwide and 36  joint ventures across the globe. The European LSG Sky Chefs activities were already sold in  2019 to gategroup. 

Once the deal is closed, the LSG Group will be able to concentrate on executing its ambitious  three-pillar strategy in order to leverage growth opportunities and lead the market in innovation, with the support of its new owner. 

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for the LSG Group,” said LSG Group CEO Erdmann  Rauer. “With AURELIUS, we have found a trustworthy partner who buys into our global strategy,  which focuses on the three pillars of airline catering, onboard retail and food commerce.

“We are  excited for what the future holds for our company – especially for our employees – and the many  business opportunities we plan seize. With the support of AURELIUS, we are confident that we will drive decisive change within our industry.”  

“This acquisition underlines AURELIUS´ position as a market leader for delivering very complex  corporate carve-outs on a global scale. Our operational specialists will support the LSG Group in growing their market-leading position,” stated Dr. Dirk Markus, Founding Partner of AURELIUS. 

“AURELIUS will work with the LSG Group’s experienced  management team to materialize the growth opportunities that are available to the company. We look forward to a close partnership with the LSG Group team and embarking on an exciting  journey to becoming an even more successful stand-alone company.”

“We are pleased to have found the right investor for the LSG Group going forward that also has  the full support of the LSG Group management. We are confident that AURELIUS will enable the  LSG Group to be well positioned in the years ahead. In turn, it enables us to focus even more on  further improving the profitability and capital returns of the Lufthansa Group core business. As  customers, our airlines are looking forward to a continued partnership with LSG Group beyond  the sale,” said Remco Steenbergen, Chief Financial Officer, Deutsche Lufthansa AG. 

The transaction is expected to close by Q3 2023, subject to relevant external approvals and  internal carve-out activities.  

ABOUT THE LSG GROUP 

The LSG Group is the quality and technology leader in airline catering and related markets. It has two strong,  independent expert brands: LSG Sky Chefs as a global catering specialist with the highest hygiene and quality  standards for airlines, the home-delivery market and retail. Retail inMotion, which specializes in in-flight sales, product  development and technology solutions, sets standards with its understanding of partnership and its innovative strength. 

The LSG Group (International) is headquartered in Neu-Isenburg, near Frankfurt, Germany, and has an extensive  network of joint ventures and partnerships around the globe. In the ramp-up year 2022, its 18,778 FTE’s at 131 locations  in 49 countries worldwide generated a consolidated revenue of 1.960 million euros. LSG Sky Chefs, in collaboration  with its joint venture partners, produced 275 million airline catering meals and 33 million food commerce units during  this period. www.lsg-group.com 

ABOUT AURELIUS 

AURELIUS is a pan-European alternative investment firm. Deep operational expertise and experience enable  AURELIUS to accelerate value creation within its portfolio companies. The Group has offices in London, Luxembourg,  Munich, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid, Milan and Dusseldorf. 

Our key investment platforms are AURELIUS European Opportunities IV fund and the listed AURELIUS Equity  Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8, Ticker Symbol: AR4), which specialise in corporate carve-out  transactions and acquiring companies with development potential in the mid-market. The investment strategy’s core  element is growth of its portfolio companies, supported by a team of almost 100 operating taskforce experts. 

AURELIUS Group additionally operates in the areas of growth capital, real estate and alternative lending solutions.  AURELIUS Growth Investments is focused on transactions involving buy-and-builds, buyouts and succession solutions  across the small cap sector. AURELIUS Real Estate Opportunities focuses on real estate investments, the value of  which can be increased in the long-term by means of active management. AURELIUS Finance Company provides  flexible lending solutions to firms across Europe. 

With its group charity AURELIUS Refugee Initiative e.V., AURELIUS provides comprehensive support to refugees on  their way towards a better life.

All images credited to LSG