This strategic sale will enhance Jebsen & Jessen’s geographic expansion, strengthen its distribution capabilities and networks while securing MSM’s long term growth and future development in Mongolia.
ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA/SINGAPORE 2 September 2024 – Diversified Industrial, Automotive, Chemical, Agricultural and Beverage Conglomerate, MSM Group today announces the sale of a majority stake to Jebsen & Jessen Group thereby securing a continuously growing future for the company and its employees.
As one of the leading conglomerates in Mongolia, MSM Group spans multiple sectors and since 1998, has been playing a pivotal role in introducing premium international brands to the Mongolian market; it remains the sole distributor and partner for more than 50 of these brands in the country today. With over 650 employees, MSM Group operates showrooms, workshops, warehousing facilities and sales outlets in the central area of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, as well as South Gobi and other areas of Mongolia.
Founders and primary shareholders Laurenz Melchers and David Reiner, along with their equity partner Mongolian Opportunities Fund, are excited with this announcement.
This acquisition brings together the technological know-how and strength of two family businesses serving complementary markets. Both groups are no stranger to each other, sharing not only historical family business connections, but also distribution agreements with MSM having served as a distributor of Jebsen & Jessen Group’s industrial products in Mongolia for over a decade.
Securing a strong future for MSM and its employees
For nearly 30 years, the Founders built a future for MSM by funding its expansion with continuous re-investments into the fast-paced growth opportunities of Mongolia. They are thankful to the loyal partners who, for many years, entrusted MSM with the promotion of their cherished brands and express their full gratitude and continuous commitment towards Mongolia, their clients, the business and, especially, its employees.
As such, in preparation for this day, the Founders ensured that an exceptional management team was set-up and given the opportunity to independently run the day-to-day management of the business with great success.
In order to guarantee that MSM continued to thrive for many decades to come, they made the difficult decision to search for a family business with shared values and long-term history but also the capital strength and international presence, to take over the reins at MSM.
It has taken some time to find the right partner and it is therefore a sad and a happy moment for the two Founders to make this announcement but they are comfortable with the notion that MSM’s future is in good hands; especially since they will remain as shareholders in MSM and will also be growing their other business interests in Ulaanbaatar, thus staying loyal to Mongolia for many years to come.
“Having known Heinrich Jessen, Chairman of Jebsen & Jessen for many years, both in a professional and personal capacity, both David and I are assured that this is the right step and the perfect group to entrust the future of our beloved MSM and its employees for the many years to come” said Laurenz Melchers Chairman of MSM Group.
In addition, both MSM Founders and Jebsen & Jessen Group want to welcome Mark Gabel to the new shareholding structure of MSM; Mark will remain CEO of MSM and they know he will take full advantage of all the synergies and opportunities that the Jebsen & Jessen Group can provide to continue to successfully grow MSM for the years ahead.
The transaction took effect after approval by the Mongolian authorities. LCA Solutions, a Hong Kong regulated Multi Family Office, acted as financial advisor to the Founders of MSM. WS Chong & Co in Hong Kong, Mishcon de Reya in London and Melville Erdenedalai in Ulaanbaatar acted as legal advisors for the different Founders while Herbert Smith Freehills in Hong Kong acted for Mongolian Opportunities Fund.
Expanding market reach, capabilities and synergies for growth
With this announcement, Jebsen & Jessen Group takes a market leading position in the fast-growing market of Mongolia and another step in its continuous expansion beyond its established market strongholds in South East Asia.
“We are delighted to be welcoming MSM Group as part of the Jebsen & Jessen family. The acquisition is a strategic move that aligns with the goal of expanding our global footprint, and enhancing our industrial and distribution capabilities,” said Jebsen & Jessen Group CEO Per Magnusson. “MSM Group’s leading market position in Mongolia, its strong management team and workforce, and its diverse businesses will be a valuable addition to our portfolio. We will benefit from the synergies that we can now leverage across these activities.”
For MSM Group, this acquisition facilitates access to the extensive resources and expertise of Jebsen & Jessen Group, offering new avenues for growth and development. MSM Group will become the seventh business unit within Jebsen & Jessen Group. MSM Group will continue to operate under its current company name and leadership, and maintain its commercial presence with all operations and business proceeding as usual.
“MSM Group has enjoyed strong growth over several decades to become the market leading company it is today. Joining Jebsen & Jessen Group provides us with the potential to scale our operations to levels we have never achieved before. These are exciting times for our teams and the brands we represent,” said MSM Group CEO Mark Gabel.
