Wanzl acquires majority stake in WSL

On 1 August 2026, the Wanzl Group increased its stake in the former joint venture WSL from 30 per cent to 51 per cent, thereby acquiring a majority stake in the group. The retail expert from Leipheim is thus extending its long-standing cooperation with WSL and strengthening its position as an international provider of retail solutions – particularly in the strategically important refrigeration segment. Wanzl and WSL have been working together successfully as part of a joint venture since 2019. During this time, WSL has evolved to become an established supplier of refrigeration appliances, refrigeration technology and complementary shopfitting solutions. The group has fostered long-standing customer relationships with leading retail companies in Europe and the Middle East and employs around 100 employees at several locations in Southeast Europe. With the majority takeover, Wanzl is laying the foundation for making even more effective use of their shared potential for growth. In the food retail sector in particular, the combination of refrigeration and shopfitting solutions opens up additional opportunities for integrated store concepts and a holistic approach to customers. The refrigeration segment is becoming an increasingly important aspect of retail. Growing product ranges in the fresh and convenience sector, increasing requirements for energy efficiency and sustainability as well as regulatory requirements are contributing to a growing need for modern, reliable and serviceable cooling solutions. This makes refrigeration a central part of modern concepts – one that has a direct impact on product quality, operational safety, energy consumption and customer experience.

“With the majority takeover of WSL, we are strategically driving forward the further development of our international business whilst reaffirming our long-term commitment to the refrigeration sector and to the growth opportunities we see together.” This closer integration pools our strengths and enables us to offer our customers in the food retail sector even more comprehensive solutions from a single source in future,” says Peter Allaart, CEO of the Wanzl Group.

“As a shareholder, we have accompanied WSL’s development over many years and worked with Wanzl to build a successful partnership. The majority takeover by Wanzl is the logical continuation of this joint journey and creates an excellent foundation for further sustainable growth and the successful development of the company. “We are convinced that WSL will benefit from its close integration into the Wanzl Group whilst retaining its entrepreneurial strength, innovative power and customer proximity,” said Tomaž Smeh and Aleksandar Lazić, shareholders and members of the Supervisory Board of the WSL Group.

WSL brings a broad portfolio of services in the areas of refrigerated display units, refrigeration technology, shopfitting, logistics, and installation and maintenance services, and will retain its entrepreneurial character, customer proximity, market knowledge and agility even after the majority takeover. Greater integration into Wanzl’s international sales and customer network will generate additional opportunities to provide customers with even more comprehensive support in future, tap into new markets and drive growth together. Wanzl is underlining its long-term commitment to the retail environment and is taking another step towards the targeted enhancement of its international portfolio.