Media release
Baar (Switzerland), February 11, 2026 – The IT consulting group around :em engineering methods AG, a portfolio company of Patrimonium Private Equity and Wille Finance, and specializing in the digital transformation of industrial companies, acquires 4Soft GmbH (“4Soft”), based in Munich (Bavaria).
The group, which includes :em engineering methods AG, SEMP Consulting GmbH, and, since January 2026, Wagner Informatik, advises industrial clients in the areas of digital strategy and transformation, digital engineering and manufacturing, product lifecycle management, artificial intelligence, and digital services.
As a specialist in the digitalization of business processes and the implementation of customized software solutions, 4Soft complements the group’s portfolio, particularly in the areas of digital services and cplace-based applications. 4Soft supports its customers throughout the entire software development process, from strategic consulting and design to technical implementation and operation. The company is growing thanks to the increasing demand for innovative IT solutions in complex application scenarios.
The founders, Dr. Klaus Bergner and Dr. Marc Sihling, will remain managing directors and significant shareholders.
“With 4Soft, we can further strengthen our market position as an independent consulting firm in the field of digital transformation for industrial companies in the DACH region. Our group now has over 200 qualified employees,” explains Dr. Marcus Krastel, CEO of :em engineering methods.
“We are very much looking forward to working together, implementing the jointly defined strategy, and realizing synergies. As part of the group, we will gain access to new customers, projects, employees, and partnerships,” emphasizes Dr. Klaus Bergner.
“The acquisition of 4Soft is an important step in our buy-and-build strategy. It expands our offering and our technological expertise and offers attractive prospects for our employees and stakeholders,” adds Philippe Knüsel, Managing Director and Co-Head of Patrimonium Private Equity Advisors.
The group is expanding its position as a leading specialist provider of digital transformation services for 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, the Patrimonium Private Equity Fund’s digitalization and IT portfolio includes 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 the 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 over 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
4Soft GmbH
4Soft GmbH is an independent IT and consulting firm focusing on the digitalization of business processes and the implementation of modern software solutions. As a reliable partner, 4Soft supports companies across all industries in the design, development, and integration of customized applications—from strategic consulting and design to technical implementation and operation. The focus is on the pragmatic implementation of tailor-made solutions, the integration of existing systems, and the automation and standardization of complex processes. 4Soft combines technological expertise with a clear understanding of technical requirements, supporting customers in the sustainable development of their digital value creation. www.4soft.de
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