H&Z merges with restructuring firm Haselhorst

The H&Z Group has entered into an exclusive partnership with Haselhorst Associates, a results-orientated restructuring company. The merger will see the two firms continue to trade as distinct brands, but bundle their services for clients when appropriate.

Founded in 1997, H&Z is a consulting firm specialising in strategy and performance, procurement, transformation, and sustainability work. With over 600 consultants in 14 countries, it has implemented over 3,500 successful projects.

In the last two years, the firm has been rapidly expanding its European footprint. In early 2023, this included the launch of a first UK office in London, while at the turn of the year, H&Z secured a landmark investment from EMZ Partners. The private equity funding was brought in to help H&Z bolster its value chain sustainability service through a campaign of acquisitions and organic expansion.

Kicking on from that, the H&Z Group has announced the further expansion of its position as a European consulting firm, with an exclusive partnership with Haselhorst Associates. The management consultancy based in Starnberg, Germany has extensive experience in crisis management and corporate restructuring.

With Haselhorst’s results-oriented turnaround approaches for challenging CRO mandates, the alliance with H&Z will open up new opportunities across the continent for both firms.

Michael Santo, managing director of the H&Z Group, commented, "The merger with Haselhorst Associates further strengthens our strategic consulting expertise. In addition to growth and positioning topics, we will be able to offer our clients and their financing partners the comprehensive reorganisation and restructuring expertise of an established consultancy firm in this segment."

Acquiring Haselhorst will see the addition of six partners and 35 experienced consultants to H&Z’s group. All existing partners will remain with Haselhorst, which will gradually be integrated into the H&Z Group, while both companies will continue to operate under their existing brands, with the focus on bundling expertise and cooperation.

Arno Haselhorst, managing director of Haselhorst, added, "We are very pleased to become part of the growing H&Z Group. In the interests of our clients, we will combine our shared entrepreneurial values and the implementation-centred consulting approaches of H&Z and Haselhorst Associates. Together, we will stand by our clients far beyond times of crisis and enable their long-term success with strategically sustainable concepts."

Haselhorst Associates was advised on the transaction by M&A advisors at Hübner Schlösser & CIE, and received legal insight from Osborne Clarke. H&Z was meanwhile advised by its own M&A team commercially, while Latham & Watkins provided legal support, and RSM Ebner Stolz provided finance and tax service.