Stuttgart, 20 October 2026: RÖDL acted as exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholders of Lothar Walther on the sale to Rigeto Unternehmerkapital GmbH ("Rigeto"), structured as a combined share and asset deal. The transaction was carried out in a structured, international investor process in which both strategic and financial investors were approached.

Under the overall project lead of partner Rainer Miller, RÖDL was responsible for the full sell-side process. Legal advice was provided by partner Christian Speckert and his team, tax advice by associate partner Dr. Tobias Schädle.

With the sale, the managing shareholders Dr. Frank Walther and Gerd Walther settle the company's succession. The company retains its entrepreneurial independence, while Rigeto as new shareholder creates the conditions for further growth. The parties agreed not to disclose financial details.

Lothar Walther will form the starting point of the WX Group initiated by Rigeto, an industrial platform for precision components for firearms and air guns in Europe and the USA. The WX Group will gradually be expanded with further specialised manufacturers that benefit from the group's combined sales, export and compliance capabilities. The basis is a stable civilian business in hunting and sport, complemented by structurally growing demand from public authorities and armed forces.

Gerd Walther, managing shareholder of Lothar Walther, said (translated quote, in substance): He and his brother run Lothar Walther in the third generation, and a succession should not only preserve the company but develop it further. Rigeto convinced them with the idea of making Lothar Walther the platform of a growing group in which the brand opens doors to new customers and further specialists in the industry. RÖDL shaped the demanding process with great expertise and a clear understanding of the company and found the right partner. The family will actively support the transition and remain available to the company in an advisory capacity.

Rainer Miller added (translated quote, in substance): RÖDL is very pleased to have supported the shareholders of the Lothar Walther Group in this demanding international process and to have contributed its market knowledge in metal processing and the defence sector. The transaction combines a long-term succession solution for the family business with a clear strategic development perspective that opens up new growth options and access to further markets for the group.

Advisors to the shareholders of Lothar Walther: RÖDL

M&A Advisory
Rainer Miller, Partner, Stuttgart - Gesamtprojektleitung
Marcel Grätz, Manager, München
Julian Kuscholke, Manager, München
Niklas Henseling, Senior Associate, Stuttgart

Legal
Kai Graf von der Recke, Partner, Stuttgart
Johannes Scherzinger, Partner, Stuttgart
Christian Speckert, Partner, Stuttgart
Matthias Schubert, Associate Partner, Hof
Amélie Ungerer, Associate Partnerin, Stuttgart
Tugba Pollak, Senior Associate, Nürnberg
Maria Pingou, Associate, Stuttgart

Tax
Dr. Tobias Schädle, Associate Partner, Nürnberg

This text was automatically translated from the German original.