The case

Montana Aerospace AG, Reinach, sells their e-mobility segment Alu Menziken AG to the Mengtai Group, a Chinese Group.

Source: Montana-Aerospace & Swiss Press

The commentary

Montana Aerospace is going to sell its e-mobility segment Alu Menziken to the Chinese Mengtai Group, the sale including 100 % of the shares in Alu Menziken Extrusion Ltd., based in Reinach. The Mengtai Group, based in Ordos, China, was founded in 2001 and is mostly active in energy production, distribution, agriculture and aluminium. In 2023, Mengtai achieved a turnover of around  € 6 billion and has been establishing itself in the European aluminium business since 2020 after acquiring the German apt Group.

In 2023, Chinese companies invested almost USD 196 million in Switzerland, though this sum could be higher as not all takeover prices are known. One well-known deal was ChemChina’s takeover of Basel-based chemicals group Syngenta for USD 43 billion. Yet it must be pointed out that one might get the wrong end of the stick as figures prove that, as yet, Swiss companies are more frequently taken over by European or US companies. In 2023, 90 % of takeovers of small or medium-sized companies were by European or US companies. All in all, the number of takeovers by foreign companies has been decreasing in the last two years, with 118 takeovers last year. Swiss companies acquired 216 companies abroad in the same period (according to EY and KPMG).

This publication has been prepared solely for information purposes and is does not constitute a recommendation, a solicitation, or an offer. The information on which this publication is based has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and in good faith, but we have not independently verified such information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy. All expressions of opinion are made as of the date of publication and may be subject to change without notice. k-flash and all related affiliates accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any consequential loss of any kind arising out of the use of this publication or any part of its contents. The use of this publication should not be regarded as a substitute for the exercise by the recipient of his or her own judgment. This publication is not directed to any person in any jurisdictions that prohibit such publication.