LD DIDACTIC Becomes Fully Owner-Managed

LD DIDACTIC Becomes Fully Owner-Managed Following Partnership with S-UBG

LD Benefits from Growing Demand for Modernisation in the Education Sector

Exit Follows Strong Business Performance Since the 2023 Management Buy-Out

Aachen, Germany, July 16, 2026 – S-UBG AG, the Aachen-based regional equity investment company of the German Savings Banks Finance Group, has sold its shares in LD DIDACTIC GmbH (LD) to its long-standing Managing Director, Martin Petzl. As a result, Petzl becomes the company’s sole shareholder. In 2023, S-UBG and Petzl jointly acquired 100 percent of the company as part of a management buy-out (MBO).

“With Martin Petzl, LD DIDACTIC has gained an owner who will continue to lead the company with true entrepreneurial vision and commitment,” said Dr. Ansgar Schleicher, Member of the Management Board of S-UBG AG. “As a minority investor, our goal from the outset was to pave the way for the company’s complete entrepreneurial independence. The fact that this step has already become possible just three years after the MBO demonstrates the exceptional commitment of Martin and his team.”

Founded in 1850 by Ernst Leybold in Hürth near Cologne, LD DIDACTIC was acquired by the investment company AURELIUS in 2009. Today, the company develops, manufactures and markets educational systems and technologies for science and technical education.

From Manager to Entrepreneur – The Next Logical Step

Over the past three years, Petzl and S-UBG have laid the foundation for sustainable growth. Key priorities included increasing operational efficiency, strengthening the company’s international manufacturing network, and expanding its domestic business.

At the same time, LD DIDACTIC has further enhanced its product portfolio, focusing on modern measurement technology, new solutions for electric mobility, and the continued development of digital learning systems. Another milestone was the strategic acquisition of LD Didactic Schweiz GmbH, which further strengthened the company’s distribution network.

“Today, LD offers an innovative, high-quality product portfolio, outstanding manufacturing expertise and an international customer base,” said Petzl. “As a minority investor, S-UBG gave me the freedom and support to further develop the business while allowing me the entrepreneurial independence to implement our strategy. I am committed to continuing this growth journey over the long term, and becoming the sole owner is the logical next step.”

Education Market Provides Strong Growth Momentum

The education sector offers highly favourable conditions for LD DIDACTIC in the years ahead. Government investment programmes such as the Startchancen Programme, the Special Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality Fund (SVIK) and the Digital Pact 2.0 are investing several billion euros annually in the modernisation of Germany’s educational institutions.

At the same time, major trends such as the energy transition, electric mobility and artificial intelligence are creating new demands for vocational education and training in science and engineering.

Petzl added: “With our brands LEYBOLD, ELWE TECHNIK and Feedback, we enjoy an outstanding reputation throughout the education sector. For 175 years, we have stood for high-quality education and training. We are continuing to grow and are therefore actively looking to recruit additional talented employees.”

“We are delighted to have supported LD DIDACTIC on its journey to becoming an owner-managed medium-sized enterprise,” said Schleicher. “The LD team makes an important contribution to Germany’s education system, helping to shape future generations. As a regional investment partner, we believe returning the company to full entrepreneurial ownership is the right decision and the best way to preserve its more than 175-year tradition.”

Hinweis: Diese Fassung ist keine wörtliche Übersetzung, sondern entspricht dem Stil internationaler Unternehmens- und Wirtschaftspressemitteilungen. Sie liest sich für englischsprachige Journalisten und Geschäftspartner deutlich natürlicher als eine direkte Übersetzung.

Back to all news