Bain Capital has agreed to acquire SupplyOn, a European supply chain collaboration platform serving automotive, aerospace, defense and other advanced manufacturing industries. The company is being acquired from shareholders AUMOVIO, Bosch, Schaeffler and ZF.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Founded in 2000, SupplyOn operates a cloud-based platform connecting more than 200 major manufacturers and tier-one suppliers with over 140,000 suppliers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Hallbergmoos, near Munich.
SupplyOn enables manufacturers and suppliers to coordinate activities across the procurement and supply chain lifecycle. Its capabilities include sourcing, purchasing, quality management, logistics, invoicing and environmental, social and governance compliance.
The platform is designed to replace fragmented systems and manual processes with a shared digital network. This can help manufacturers improve visibility, coordinate suppliers and respond more quickly to production disruptions across complex, multi-tier supply chains.
Bain Capital plans to work with SupplyOn’s management team to support the company’s next phase of growth. The investment will include additional product development and the introduction of new artificial intelligence capabilities intended to improve customer outcomes.
The firm also plans to increase SupplyOn’s sales and marketing activities to accelerate adoption among manufacturers. Bain Capital identified the defense sector as another area where SupplyOn has an emerging presence and potential for further expansion.
The investment is being made through Bain Capital’s European Tech Opportunities business. Bain Capital said the transaction draws on its experience investing in technology, industrial, aerospace and defense companies.
European supply chain digitalization remains underdeveloped in several advanced manufacturing markets. The need for stronger coordination has increased as manufacturers manage broader supplier networks, regulatory requirements and more complicated production processes.
SupplyOn’s network effects are an important part of its business model. As additional manufacturers and suppliers join the platform, customers can collaborate with more of their business partners through a common set of digital tools and processes.
Bain Capital plans to maintain SupplyOn’s European operational footprint, data residency and governance structure. These commitments are intended to preserve continuity for customers that depend on European data sovereignty, regulatory compliance and secure supply chain infrastructure.
The acquisition also reflects Bain Capital’s familiarity with SupplyOn through its industrial portfolio companies, some of which use the platform. Bain Capital plans to continue supporting SupplyOn’s existing shareholders as customers and participants in the wider manufacturing ecosystem.
SupplyOn CEO Markus Quicken will continue working with the company’s management team as it expands its product roadmap and market reach. The company intends to build on its established position across automotive, aerospace, railway and other manufacturing sectors.
Bain Capital manages approximately $225 billion in assets across private equity, growth and venture investing, capital solutions, credit and real assets. The firm has more than 2,000 employees across 24 offices on four continents.
KEY QUOTES:
“SupplyOn represents a rare combination of product quality, network strength, high customer advocacy and market leadership in supply chain coordination across Europe. The company has built a deeply embedded platform that customers rely on for day-to-day operations. We see real runway to expand into adjacent sectors and invest in product capabilities that matter to manufacturers and suppliers alike.”
James Stevens, Partner on Bain Capital’s Tech Opportunities Team
“SupplyOn builds on our long-standing footprint in Europe and Germany specifically. Through our industrials portfolio we are customers of SupplyOn and understand the critical role it plays. We have long-standing relationships with the shareholders of SupplyOn and look forward to continuing to support their businesses into the future.”
Dr. Michael Siefke, Partner and Chair of Europe Private Equity at Bain Capital
“We are pleased to partner with Bain Capital, which shares our long-term vision for SupplyOn as a strategic asset in the supply chain ecosystem across Europe. This partnership will enable us to accelerate our product roadmap, expand our market reach, and build on the strong foundation our shareholders have created.”
Markus Quicken, CEO of SupplyOn
