The Carlyle Group, with equity from the Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) IV fund, has acquired a major stake in CSS AG (CSS), a leading German business software provider with a focus on accounting, controlling and human resources (HR) software. Majority shareholder Michael Friemel will retain a large minority stake in CSS and will continue to lead the company as CEO.
Founded in 1984, CSS is headquartered in Künzell, Germany, and serves and supports its customers from eight additional regional offices. CSS is the only vendor with a fully integrated all-in-one business solution, named eGECKO, for accounting, controlling and HR modules which is specifically targeted at the needs of local and multinational German mid-market customers. It serves approximately 2,500 customers across a wide range of industries. Carlyle will work alongside the CSS management team to support the company‘s growth through the further development of its eGECKO solution via synergetic acquisitions and the offering of cloud solutions.
CODEX Partners provided the Commercial Due Diligence of CSS AG for Carlyle.
CODEX Partners advises investors on commercial due diligence and vendor due diligence, on strategy development, cost optimization and restructuring of portfolio companies as well as on the development of industry platforms. Investors benefit from our experience from over 500 projects.
