DC Advisory advises Hypax on its carve-out acquisition of Wolf Garten from Stanley Black and Decker

Background

• Headquartered in the US, Stanley Black & Decker is a leader in manufacturing tools and outdoor equipment, operating manufacturing facilities worldwide
• Founded in 1922, WOLF-Garten is a leading European brand for high-quality gardening tools, seeds and fertilizers. Headquartered in Germany, the company operates two manufacturing sites in Sankt Wendel and Etzbach, producing a comprehensive range of hand tools alongside a broad catalogue of lawn care products
• As part of its broader simplification efforts, Stanley Black & Decker entered into an agreement to sell its WOLF-Garten business to Hypax, a Berlin-based private equity firm
• Hypax specializes in complex corporate carve-outs for mid-market businesses with operational improvement and growth potential – particularly in the Consumer, Industrial Services, Technology, Media, and  Telecommunications sectors – across Western Europe, with a focus on Germany and the UK.

Process

• The DC Advisory team, led by Stephan von Parpart, acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Hypax on the acquisition of Wolf Garten
• By leveraging its expertise in the Consumer sector and cross-border capabilities, DC Advisory assisted Hypax in analysing the opportunity and arranging expert calls with industry leaders. Throughout the process, DC Advisory provided support to the client in communication and negotiation tactics 

Outcome

• The transaction closed in July 2026
• The transaction takes place against a challenging backdrop for the gardening sector, following a surge in demand over COVID that is now stabilizing after several years of volatility
• The transaction is a complex carve out given the shared systems, customer relationships, and corporate functions between the two businesses that must be transitioned to a standalone platform
• In a competitive process, Hypax was able to prevail with a convincing offer that reflected an attractive valuation and demonstrated a deep understanding and experience in complex carve-out situations
• This transaction showcases DC Advisory's expertise in the Consumer, Leisure & Retail sector and adds to the strong track record advising on cross-border transactions