Grant Thornton advises SurfacePrep

Düsseldorf, 4 August 2026

The SurfacePrep Group has acquired Kuhmichel Abrasiv GmbH effective July 1, 2026. With this acquisition, SurfacePrep – the world’s leading provider of abrasives and surface finishing solutions – is strengthening its market position in Europe and significantly advancing its international growth strategy, supported by strategic investor Nautic Partners. Kuhmichel’s technical expertise and international presence expand SurfacePrep’s capabilities in building a scalable, connected platform to better serve customers worldwide.

An interdisciplinary transaction team from Grant Thornton in Germany, led by Partner Tim Gonnermann (Financial Advisory) and Partners Dr. Stefan Hahn and Sebastian Bongartz (Tax), provided comprehensive advice to SurfacePrep in connection with the transaction. The services provided included, among other things, financial due diligence and tax due diligence, advice on drafting the purchase agreement, and tax structuring of the acquisition.  

SurfacePrep is a leading global provider of abrasive solutions, specialty ceramics, and surface preparation services. The company, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan (U.S.), has 70 branches in North America and Europe. SurfacePrep is a portfolio company of Nautic Partners, a U.S.-based mid-cap private equity firm. 

Kuhmichel Abrasiv GmbH, headquartered in Ratingen (North Rhine-Westphalia), is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of blasting and grinding abrasives. The family-owned company operates eleven locations in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, and Turkey, offering a broad product portfolio and comprehensive technical expertise in the fields of blasting technology, surface treatment, and recycling. With Europe’s largest recycling facility for blasting and grinding media, Kuhmichel helps industrial customers use resources efficiently and achieve their sustainability goals

Contact

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