19. January 2026

ARQIS advised GBS Electronic Solutions GmbH, a portfolio company of the mid-sized equity financier VR Equitypartner, on the acquisition of all shares in productware Gesellschaft zur Produktion von elektronischen Geräten mbH. The seller is Controlware Holding GmbH. The acquisition is carried out as part of the GBS EMS Group's buy-and-build strategy in the field of electronic manufacturing services (EMS). With this acquisition, the group is strengthening its position as a full-service partner for industrial customers while expanding its technological expertise and regional presence. At the same time, the GBS EMS Group is opening up new industrial end markets, including in the areas of railway technology, defense and IoT.

Productware Gesellschaft zur Produktion von elektronischen Geräten mbH, based in Dietzenbach, is a regionally established EMS specialist. The company manufactures high-quality electronic assemblies and complete devices (box builds) on high-end assembly lines and covers the entire range of services from development and series production to testing and logistics. Productware employs around 65 people and has more than 30 years of market experience.

GBS Electronic Solutions GmbH, based in Bayreuth, is a mid-sized technology company and positions itself as a full-service EMS provider along the entire value chain. VR Equitypartner has held a stake in the company since 2016 and supports it together with INDUC as a long-term growth partner. The aim is to develop the GBS EMS Group into one of the leading EMS providers in Germany.

An ARQIS team headed by Dr. Lars Laeger regularly advises VR Equitypartner and its portfolio companies and has already advised GBS on the acquisition of Elektron Systeme in 2022.

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Lars Laeger (Partner, Transactions, Lead), Partner: Johannes Landry (Transactions), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP, Munich), Counsel: Christian Judis (Compliance, Munich), Jens Knipping (Tax), Nora Stratmann (Commercial, Munich), Martin Weingärtner (HR Law), Managing Associates: Christina Huckschlag (Transactions), Tim Bresemann (Real Estate), Johanna Klingen (Data Law), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associate: Dr. Tim Weill (HR Law)