Takes over the Rauch chipboard plant in Markt Bibart

The Egger Group acquires Rauch’s particleboard plant in Markt Bibart. The purchase agreement was signed on September 8, 2023. Egger is thus consistently pursuing its strategy of organic growth and further strengthening its position in its home market of Europe.

At the same time, with this step the Rauch Group is saying goodbye to particleboard production after 65 years and is now focusing on the further development of its furniture plants. In 1958, Rauch had taken over the plant and from then on was able to produce its own chipboard for furniture manufacturing. The particleboard plant supplies not only Rauch Möbelwerke, but also other national and international furniture and door customers.

“As the share of deliveries to third-party customers and thus the product range have continuously increased in recent years, we have gradually detached ourselves from the original business idea. In order to remain competitive in the particleboard market in the long term, high expansion investments are required. The Egger Group has the strength to leverage the potential of the Markt Bibart site and Rauch can now focus fully on the further development of the furniture plants,” says Rainer Hribar, CEO of the Rauch Group.

Subject to the granting of antitrust approval, the particleboard plant in Markt Bibart will become Egger’s 22nd production site. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or further details of the transaction. The Rauch Group’s furniture plants remain unaffected by the takeover.

“Sustainable growth from our own resources is our declared goal. With this additional site in our core market of Germany, we are successfully continuing our strategy. The many years of expertise of the workforce in Markt Bibart together with the synergy effects resulting from our group presence enable great growth potential for the site,” emphasizes Thomas Leissing, Egger Group Head of Finance/Administration and Group Management Spokesman.

The plant in Markt Bibart has facilities for the production of raw particleboard with a capacity of up to 650,000 m3 per year. The supply of Rauch Möbelwerke will continue in the long term even after the takeover by the Egger Group. In addition, the wood-based materials specialist sees great opportunities to expand the business model in Germany to include fixed-size customers.

Egger is aiming for rapid integration of the site into the Group in terms of processes and systems. In addition, the wood-based materials manufacturer is already examining initial investment projects at the site. The company is counting on the experience of its local workforce. The wood-based materials manufacturer will take over all 195 employees of the Rauch particleboard plant at the closing date. “We are looking forward to welcoming our new qualified and committed colleagues as part of our global corporate family. We are convinced that together we will successfully develop the Markt Bibart plant in the long term,” says Thomas Leissing.