Greenbriar Equity Group has acquired Frauscher Sensor Technology, a supplier of train tracking products used in the railway signaling industry, in partnership with the company’s management team, led by CEO Michael Thiel.
Frauscher designs and manufactures railway wheel detection and axle counting systems based on inductive and acoustic sensing technologies. The company’s products are used by system integrators and railway operators to monitor track occupancy across railway networks, and are a core element of railway traffic management systems. Frauscher operates eight subsidiaries across five continents and its products are installed in over 50 countries worldwide. The company is headquartered near Salzburg in St. Marienkirchen, Austria (www.frauscher.com).
Greenbriar will support Frauscher’s expansion into North America, while continuing to support management’s other global strategies. The investment will also be used to accelerate the development of the new Frauscher Tracking Solutions system, which is based on distributed acoustic sensing technology.
“Frauscher has established itself as the clear technology and quality leader in the industry. We are excited to partner with Michael Thiel and his team and look forward to supporting the company during its next growth phase,” said Michael Weiss, Managing Director at Greenbriar. “We are particularly excited about Frauscher’s opportunities to leverage its differentiated product offering within new and existing geographic markets and develop innovative products.”
Greenbriar Equity Group invests from $50 million to $150 million per transaction in the global transportation industry, including companies in aerospace & defense, automotive, freight & passenger transport, logistics & distribution, and related sectors. The firm manages $2.5 billion of committed capital and is based in Rye, NY (www.greenbriarequity.com).
“This is an exciting time for the entire Frauscher organization. We are eager to work with Greenbriar as our new partner to continue to implement our growth strategy. Their extensive experience and relationships in the rail industry will be invaluable as we expand our presence in North America and introduce new technologies into the marketplace,” said Mr. Thiel.
© 2016 Private Equity Professional • 10-25-16