Max Steventoneps and NUSSLI have merged to create a Europe-based provider of temporary event infrastructure, with the combined group employing 820 people across 50 locations.
The companies will continue to operate under the eps and NUSSLI names, with headquarters in Munich and Hüttwilen respectively. Andy Böckli, previously CEO of the NUSSLI Group, will become Group CEO.
The merger brings together eps’ expertise in turf and ground protection systems, crowd control and visitor management with NUSSLI’s work across grandstands, event structures, stages, temporary stadiums and special-purpose structures.
eps was founded 30 years ago and employs 350 people across 29 locations. It supports around 5,000 events each year, with operations across Europe, North America, Brazil and Australia.
NUSSLI has operated for 85 years and employs 470 people across 21 locations. The Swiss group delivers around 1,500 projects annually, with a presence in Switzerland, Central and Southern Europe and the Americas.
The combined group will provide customers with access to both companies’ services through a single supplier, while expanding its geographical coverage.
Its customer base includes Live Nation, the World Economic Forum, AEG Live, the IOC, FKP Scorpio, Formula 1, the ATP Tour, the Ski World Cup, the Ryder Cup and Red Bull. Its event portfolio also includes work for international tours, world expos and festivals including Coachella, Tomorrowland and EDC.
The merger follows a period of restructuring and growth at NUSSLI. Helvetica Capital and a consortium of entrepreneurial investors invested in the group in 2017, before the company transitioned towards an owner-managed European family-owned business.
Both companies said the merger would support further investment, expansion into additional markets and the recruitment of additional employees.
“We know from our clients that they prefer to work with a smaller number of suppliers in order to optimize coordination and meet ever-tighter schedules as well as stricter technical and organizational requirements,” said eps CEO Tom Bilsen. “Starting today, that’s exactly what we can do,”
Andy Böcklisaid,“Both companies are in a strong operational and financial position. That’s exactly why the timing is right: We’re acting from a position of strength.
“The merger is geared toward growth: Additional markets and a broader range of services mean increased expansion, with a corresponding need for additional investments and employees. The professional and consistent service our customers have come to expect will not change, but the range of services behind it will.”
(Pictured left to right: eps founder Okan Tombulcaand and Andy Böckli)