Benchmark International

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Southern Weaving Company, a company of Orix USA, to Oppermann GmBH. Oppermann GmBH is a fifth-generation, family-owned business founded in 1848 and headquartered in Einbeck, Germany, where it also maintains a production facility. The company also operates plants in the United Kingdom, China and Slovakia, and Piedmont, SC (Oppermann Webbing, Inc.). Its products are used over a wide spectrum of applications in many international market segments, including industrial, transportation, construction and aviation. Southern Weaving Company was originally incorporated in South Carolina in 1924. Orix Corporate Capital Inc. (Orix USA) is the controlling shareholder and under its direction and support, the current management team has grown the business back into a leader in the webbing industry.

According to Mr. Oppermann, the addition of Southern Weaving employees and processes adds to the Oppermann tradition of providing industry-leading products, reliable deliveries and continuous technical innovation. “We are excited to build upon the legacy Southern Weaving has created since its inception almost a century ago. We recognize the tremendous talent base that Southern Weaving has cultivated and are excited to partner with the employees to build upon those successes. We would like to thank Benchmark International for all of their efforts driving this transaction forward to a positive outcome. They worked extremely hard to consummate a deal that affords us this tremendous opportunity to grow our brand and presence in the market.”

Ron Mohling, CEO of Southern Weaving, added, “We would like to thank Benchmark International for their devotion and proficiency in putting this deal together. We always knew that they were fighting hard to make this a winning deal for Southern Weaving Company. We’re equally excited for the next chapter to begin in the long-standing legacy of both organizations. On behalf of myself and other members of the senior management team, we appreciate the support from all involved.”

Dara Shareef, Director at Benchmark International, added, “It is great to see a deal like this become a reality. Working alongside Orix USA and the Southern Weaving Company Management team has been a pleasure throughout the entirety of the process. It can be a difficult process for a financial institution to choose the timing to take a business to market and who should represent them in a divestiture, however, I believe our comprehensive marketing process and available resources through our skilled team approach positions us perfectly to work on transactions with this complicated dynamic. We are thrilled with the outcome for Orix USA, Southern Weaving Company, and the new ownership at Oppermann GmBH and look forward to monitoring their progress.”

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’s global offices provide business owners in the middle market and lower middle market with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. To date, Benchmark International has handled engagements in excess of $8.25B across various industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark International’s deal teams, working from 14 offices across the world, have assisted hundreds of owners with achieving their personal objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.

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