Wolf Theiss advises Wanzl Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in WSL Group

Belgrade, Ljubljana, Vienna, Zagreb, 3 September 2026 – Wolf Theiss advised Wanzl Group, a global provider of retail, logistics and airport solutions, on increasing its shareholding in WSL Group, a Southeast European provider of refrigeration technology and retail fit-out solutions, from 30% to 51%, thereby acquiring a majority stake in the company. Closing took place on 31 July 2026.

Wanzl Group is a family-owned company that develops retail solutions, logistics systems and products for the airport and hotel sectors. The group employs more than 4,600 people worldwide and operates 11 production sites across eight countries.

WSL Group provides refrigeration technology, cooling equipment and retail fit-out solutions for the retail sector. With approximately 100 employees, the company supports retail customers across Europe and the Middle East.

Wanzl and WSL have cooperated through a joint venture since 2019. The transaction strengthens Wanzl’s position in the refrigeration segment and further integrates WSL’s operations across Southeast Europe.

Wolf Theiss’ mandate included advising Wanzl on the Austrian, Croatian, Serbian and Slovenian law aspects of the transaction, including negotiations with the joint venture partner, the implementation of new corporate governance structures and merger control matters.

The multi-jurisdictional Wolf Theiss team was led by Christian Mikosch (Partner) and Doris Buxbaum (Counsel) and further included Paul Samonig (Associate, all Corporate/M&A) and Robert Wagner (Partner, Competition & Antitrust), who advised on Austrian law matters; Nataša Lalović Marić (Partner), Jovan Micović (Senior Associate), Stefan Silobad (Associate, all Corporate/M&A) and Katarina Ranđelović (Senior Associate, Competition & Antitrust), who advised on Serbian law matters; as well as Neja Nastran (Counsel, Corporate/M&A, Slovenia) and Marija Stojanov (Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A, Croatia).