Press release
Baar (Switzerland), January 29, 2026 – :em engineering methods AG, a leading IT consulting company in the field of digital transformation for industrial companies based in Darmstadt, Germany – a portfolio company of Patrimonium Private Equity and Wille Finance – is acquiring Wagner Informatik GmbH (“Wagner”), based in Nuremberg, Bavaria, through its holding company.
With this acquisition, the leading group in the German-speaking region around :em engineering methods, which also includes SEMP Consulting, based in Munich, expands its offering to include the strategically important and rapidly growing field of digital manufacturing. This refers to the integration of digital technologies and data into engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain processes in order to make workflows more efficient, flexible, and transparent. At the same time, the group is expanding its customer portfolio in growth sectors and further developing its technological expertise and geographical footprint in Germany.
The market for digital manufacturing is primarily driven by the use of artificial intelligence, the interconnection of machines and systems (IoT, Industry 4.0), the virtual mapping and simulation of physical products and systems (“digital twin”) and the use of robotics. Wagner advises customers with solutions covering the entire production and supply chain processes, accompanying them from idea generation to series production.
Udo Wagner, founder of Wagner Informatik, and Andreas Berndt will remain responsible for the operational management of the company as managing partners and will retain a significant stake in the company.
“The integration of Wagner into our group expands our coverage of the value chain in a related consulting field and strengthens our market position in the DACH region. We are delighted to have experienced executives such as Udo Wagner and Andreas Berndt on board,” explains Dr. Sven Kleiner, General Manager of :em engineering methods.
“We are very pleased to help shape the digital future of engineering and manufacturing, and beyond, together with the group companies around :em engineering methods,” emphasizes Udo Wagner.
“The acquisition is a milestone in our growth strategy. It enriches our group with an expanded range of services, even broader industry coverage, and over 40 highly skilled and motivated employees,” adds Philippe Knüsel, Managing Director and Co-Head of Patrimonium Private Equity Advisors.
The group around :em engineering methods AG, founded in 2002, is further expanding its position as a leading specialist provider for the digital transformation of industrial companies in the DACH region through an active acquisition strategy and organic growth.
:em engineering methods has been part of Patrimonium Private Equity’s investment portfolio since May 2024. In addition to :em engineering methods AG, the digitalization and IT portfolio of the Patrimonium Private Equity Fund consists of the companies Grouplink and TestSolutions. The portfolio also includes Teclac (surface technology) and Octo Actuators (electric drive systems) in Germany, as well as B+G Switzerland (gardening and landscaping) and Roth Group (building insulation and fire protection) in Switzerland.
The Patrimonium Private Equity team has already supported over 30 platform investments in the DACH region and more than 80 add-on acquisitions.
Patrimonium Private Equity portfolio companies
Contact
Philippe Knüsel
Managing Director
Co-Head Private Equity
+41 58 787 00 78
philippe.knuesel@patrimonium.ch
François Hutter
Head of Marketing
Media Relations
+41 58 787 00 08
media@patrimonium.ch
:em engineering methods AG
:em engineering methods AG (“:em AG”) is headquartered in Darmstadt and has additional offices in Böblingen and Munich. With a comprehensive portfolio of consulting services, software development, and its proprietary SaaS solution (ReqMan®), :em AG supports the digital transformation of industrial companies — including both blue-chip corporations and mid-sized enterprises — across the DACH region, covering the entire product lifecycle. :em AG designs digitalization and IT strategies, supports their implementation in digital development and manufacturing in the context of the Digital Twin, and advises on the selection, introduction, and implementation of modern IT systems. Its consulting focus areas include Product Lifecycle Management and software-defined products, digital engineering and digital manufacturing, circular economy solutions, as well as agentic and industrial artificial intelligence. www.em.ag
Patrimonium Private Equity
Patrimonium Private Equity is an equity partner for mid-sized companies, actively supporting succession and growth plans, and buy-and-build strategies. It is part of Patrimonium Asset Management AG (“Patrimonium”), an independent, owner-managed Swiss asset manager with a focus on private markets. Patrimonium is known for its direct and responsible investment approach in Switzerland, Germany, and neighboring countries. Patrimonium manages assets of CHF 5 billion (30.06.2025). With offices in Lausanne, Zurich, and Zug, the company employs over 70 people. www.patrimonium.ch
Wille Finance AG
Wille Finance AG is a family office founded in 2007. With a team of nearly 30 professionals, it invests in private equity, real estate, and publicly listed companies. In the private equity sector, Wille invests in growth companies and buy-out transactions, with a focus on software and life sciences. The geographical focus is on Europe and Israel. Wille Finance AG is a long-term investor and reliable partner for entrepreneurs. Its portfolio includes over 35 companies, 18 of which are in the software sector. www.willefinance.com
Wagner Informatik GmbH
Wagner Informatik GmbH, founded in Nuremberg in 2008, specializes in Industry 4.0, digital factories, and smart industry. The focus is on the digitalization of processes along the product life cycle and their integration into supply chain management processes for the continuous development of digital production. Wagner advises and supports customers in the areas of manufacturing planning, manufacturing execution and manufacturing logistics, as well as in the automated increase of vertical integration, and implements holistic IT solutions from the initial idea to series production. Wagner provides the digital twin as the central basis for this. www.wagner-informatik.de
SEMP Consulting GmbH
Founded in 2020, SEMP Consulting GmbH is an independent, Germany-based consulting firm for Systems Engineering and IT management, accredited by the German Society for Systems Engineering. With an interdisciplinary team of up to 16 people, SEMP Consulting supports companies from various industries – including aerospace, automotive, plant engineering, railway, and medical technology – in the training, adoption, and application of Systems Engineering based on international standards. The company is led by two professors with long-standing expertise. www.semp.consulting