Benchmark International

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Automaten Winkels GmbH & CO. KG (trading as Euroscope) by a German Search Fund candidate.  

Euroscope, based in Wuppertal, Germany, is Europe's largest producer and operator of coin operated telescopes and souvenir vending machines with more than 3,000 installed coin telescopes, penny press machines and souvenir vending machines. The company specializes in the assembling and operation of souvenir medals, tokens and coin telescopes, an integral part of any tourist attraction or landmark.

In July 2023, a German Search Fund candidate, backed by institutional equity sponsors, acquired 100% of the company shares from Jochen Winkels and Dr. Bettina Bähr. They will remain in the company for a transition period to hand over their managing responsibilities to the Search Fund candidate.

Jochen Winkels commented on the transaction: "We are very pleased that Benchmark International supported us successfully with our succession plans and came up with a new shareholder for the company. My grandfather was the founder of Automaten Winkels GmbH & Co. KG and my family has been running the business since 1926. We highly appreciate that Benchmark identified this buyer for our company and that Benchmark’s team guided us professionally through the entire and very intense selling process.”

Dr. Bettina Bähr added: “We have never dealt with the sale of a company and did not expect that it would be such a big effort. During the last decades Euroscope has built up more than five different locations with individual entities all over Europe which made it a very complex transaction. We are very happy that Benchmark International worked hand in hand with our legal advisors from Friedrich Graf von Westphalen and made it a smooth transaction for us as sellers.”

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Lawrie@BenchmarkIntl.com

Americas: Sam Smoot at +1 (813) 898 2350 / Smoot@BenchmarkIntl.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkIntl.com 

ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL:

Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $10 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network as well as the #1 Sell-side Exclusive M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook’s Global League Tables.