Frankfurt, 7 May 2026 – The international commercial law firm ADVANT Beiten has advised Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität e.V. (DGQ) in the context of Montagu’s acquisition of a majority stake in DQS Holding GmbH. The seller was a consortium of existing shareholders comprising UL Solutions, DGQ, the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN), the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Spectaris, the German Construction Industry Association (HDB) and ZVEI – the Association of the Electrical and Digital Industries. DIN will continue to hold a stake in DQS as a significant minority shareholder. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction volume.
The DGQ is a leading German professional association for quality management and quality assurance. Since its foundation, it has been committed to developing and promoting quality expertise in business, public administration and society. The DGQ’s key areas of focus include continuing professional development, personal certification, professional exchange, and the promotion of modern management systems and sustainable organisational development.
DQS stands for the German Society for the Certification of Management Systems. The organisation was founded in 1985 by DGQ, DIN and other German industry associations, and is now an international provider of certification, auditing and business assurance services, with clients in more than 60 countries. DQS supports companies across all sectors with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and ESG and compliance issues.
Montagu is an international private equity investor specialising in the healthcare, financial services, technology and industrial sectors. The firm supports its portfolio companies in achieving sustainable growth, realising operational potential and strengthening their market position over the long term. Montagu’s investment is intended to support DQS through its next phase of growth. In particular, the firm plans to invest in digitalisation, international expansion and the broadening of its service offering in the areas of digital trust, medical devices and ESG. With extensive industry experience and a clear focus on value creation, Montagu is one of the established investors in the European mid-market segment.
ADVANT Beiten comprehensively advised DGQ on all legal aspects of the transaction.
Advisors to Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität e.V. (DGQ):
ADVANT Beiten: Dr Christof Aha, Mark Thönißen (both Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt), Prof. Dr Christian Heinichen (Antitrust), Dr Markus Ley (Corporate/M&A, both Munich).
Advisors to DQS Holding:
act legal: Christoph O. Breithaupt, Julia Rosigkeit, Sandra Ryssok, Christoph Tornau
Houlihan Lokey as M&A Berater: Christian Keller, Kevin Rogstad, Alexander van Aubel, Jack de Laney
Advisors to UL Solutions:
Eversheds Sutherland: Anthony Cross, Dr Johannes Pfeiffer
Advisors to DIN e.V.:
PwC Legal: Thomas Moritz, Alexander Friedheim
Advisor to VDMA e.V.:
LPA Law: Dr Leif Gösta Gerling
Advisor to ZVEI e.V.:
Baker Tilly: Jens Suhrbier
Advisor to SPECTARIS e.V.:
Grothmann Geiser: Frank Geiser
Advisor to HDB e.V.:
Inhouse: Dr Henning Koewius
Advisor to Montagu:
Linklaters: Dr Ralph Drebes, Dr Christian Hundeshagen, Dr Johannes Porsch, Anna Tamara Castaner Coll
Media Contact
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com
Dr Christof Aha
Lawyer
ADVANT Beiten
+49 69 756095-451
christof.aha@advant-beiten.com
