duagon, Dietikon (Switzerland)

Embedded electronics for railway, medtech and critical automation applications

Key facts at a glance

  • Merger with MEN – Group established as a full-service provider for computing and communication solutions in railway vehicles
  • Leveraged international footprint of Group companies for cross-selling
  • Expansion in Asia ongoing

Revenues in CHFmn

 

116

 

2019

 

122

 

2020

 

104

 

2021
Investment by
DBAG Fund VII
€118.1mn
DBAG's interest
€26.8mn
Management Buyout

Majority investment of DBAG Fund VII
First invested
July 2017

As of 30 September 2022

 

Profile

duagon, which has its registered office in the Swiss city of Dietikon, was established in 1995 and has since become a leading independent provider of network components for data communication in railway vehicles. The company’s products allow individual railway vehicle systems, such as doors, brakes, air conditioning systems and the primary control computer, to communicate via what is known as the TCN (“train communication network”). This makes it easier to integrate these systems into the train manufacturers’ networks and limits sources of errors in the process. This allows suppliers to concentrate on their core competencies, namely the development of the individual railway vehicle components. duagon products are used by virtually all train manufacturers and system suppliers.

duagon has developed long-standing customer relationships and broad-based technological expertise in its niche market. Its strong competitive position and the very positive market drivers provide an ideal environment for above-average growth.

Tom Alzin
Member of the Board of Management

~70

per cent

of systems in railway vehicles will be connected to each other by 2025

Potential for development

duagon has established strong relationships with customers in China, the world’s largest market for railway vehicles, over the last ten years. In order to further exploit growth potential with Chinese customers, the company intends to further expand its local sales network, R&D capacities and supporting functions. India and Japan are additional major railway markets that duagon is targeting by establishing a local sales presence. duagon aims to establish itself as a specialist in providing solutions for data communication in railway vehicles by offering a broader product portfolio and via acquisitions in both the immediate and extended competitive environment. With the acquisition of MEN Mikro Elektronik in May 2018, duagon gained a foothold in mission-critical, rugged computing solutions predominantly for the railway, but also medtech and similarly complex critical automation applications.

Contact

Tom Alzin
Tom Alzin
Tom Alzin
Ressorts:
Strategy and Business Development, Market Development Italy, Investment Business, Long-Term Investments, Investor Relations

Tom Alzin

Spokesman of the Board of Management

Born in 1980, Spokesman of the Board of Management since March 2023; Member of the Board of Management since March 2021; appointed until end of February 2026.

Tom Alzin joined Deutsche Beteiligungs AG in 2004 and became a Managing Director in 2011. He has 18 years of experience in the private equity business.

Tom Alzin holds a degree in Business Administration from the HEC Lausanne, and also studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science.