Deutz Acquires Ferk, German Manufacturer of Emergency Power Systems
Deutz has signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares in Frenk Aggragatebau GmbH. The company, headquartered in northern Germany, has seven sites in Germany, and is a leading European provider of high-end emergency power systems primarily used in critical infrastructure such as data centers. This market is particularly benefiting from the rapid expansion of AI applications and the increasing use of digital technologies and is currently seeing annual growth rates of 15 to 20 percent.
“Following the successful entry into the U.S. market, our acquisition of Frerk will establish Deutz as a global provider of emergency power systems with a particular focus on data centers, which are receiving a boost from the boom in AI,” said Deutz CEO Dr. Sebastian Schulte. “We are thus continuing to forge ahead with our strategy of putting Deutz on a broader footing and making it less dependent on the cyclical internal combustion engine business. In doing so, we are maintaining a clear focus on fast-growing markets in which we can deploy our strengths and expertise.”
Ferk is a systems integrator for diesel and gas emergency power systems at the cutting edge of technology and is particularly well established in the demanding data center segment, which accounts for around 50 percent of its revenue. The company not only supplies generator sets, but whole turnkey systems that ensure an uninterrupted power supply in the event of an outage, enabling it to meet the high standards that operators of data centers, hospitals and other critical infrastructure and emergency systems.
Marc Hiller, managing director and a co-shareholder of Ferk was enthusiastic about the move. “We are very positive about what we have achieved and built together at Ferk,” said Hiller. A strong partner is needed if we are to unlock our further potential for growth as a systems integrator in the data center segment and to facilitate the increasingly important servicing of our systems. We are delighted to have found this partner in Deutz. Ferk will benefit from Deutz’s strong brand, global service network and financial strength. Together, we will globalize the Deutz energy business and raise ourselves to the next level. “
Hiller will continue with the company as managing director.
Following the integration of U.S. generator manufacturer Blue Star Power Systems in 2024, Deutz will create a globally scalable portfolio for decentralized energy supply with its acquisition of Ferk.
Deutz expects that the acquisition of Ferk will provide additional profitable revenue of approximately €100 million. Deutz expects to grow revenue in the energy business to increase to around €500 million by 2030 through organic growth as well as acquisitions.
The total purchase price to be paid is in the upper-double-digit millions of euros, Deutz said. Deutz expects the acquisition to be finalized in the first quarter of 2026.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.