Crescent European Specialty Lending Supports Rantum Capital in Aqua Group Refinancing Deal
iturn0image0 turn0image3 turn0image6 turn0image9 Crescent Capital Group LP, a prominent alternative credit investment firm, has announced that its European Specialty Lending strategy has provided financing to support Rantum Capital’s refinancing of Aqua Group GmbH. This Germany-headquartered company specializes in detection and restoration services for water, fire, and natural hazard damages. The financing will be utilized to refinance existing bank debt and support Aqua Group’s ongoing acquisition strategy. Crescent served as the sole arranger for this transaction.
Aqua Group operates primarily in Central and Southern Germany, boasting over 35 branches and employing more than 550 individuals. The company offers a comprehensive range of restoration services, including water leakage detection, technical drying services, and full-scale restoration of water, fire, or elemental damages. Acting as a liaison among insurance companies, property management firms, and affected parties, Aqua Group manages the entire damage management process—from diagnosis to restoration and billing. Since Rantum established Aqua Group as a buy-and-build platform in 2021, the company has completed several add-on acquisitions to expand its client portfolio, increase its number of operating branches, enhance regional coverage, and optimize its service offerings.
Christine Vanden Beukel, Managing Director and head of Crescent’s European Specialty Lending strategy, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Crescent is pleased to support Rantum Capital in its refinancing and add-on acquisition plans for Aqua Group as it continues to expand market coverage across Germany and strengthen its position as a leading player in water and fire damage restoration. We appreciate being able to partner with leading sponsors like Rantum and look forward to supporting the continuing growth of Aqua Group.”
Crescent Capital Group LP is a global credit investment manager with $46 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024. For over 30 years, the firm has focused on below investment grade credit through strategies that invest in marketable and privately originated debt securities, including senior bank loans, high yield bonds, as well as private senior, unitranche, and junior debt securities. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Crescent has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, and London, employing more than 230 individuals globally. The firm is a part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life.
Aqua Group GmbH, headquartered in Holzkirchen, Bavaria, is a leading supraregional provider of water and fire damage restoration services. Founded in 2021 through the acquisition of a local restoration service provider, the group has grown to include over 35 branches and more than 550 employees. Aqua Group serves a highly diversified and renowned customer base in the B2B segment and handles over 30,000 projects annually. The company operates as a full-service provider, managing the entire damage restoration process and serving as a crucial link between insurance companies and affected parties.
Rantum Capital is a mid-market asset manager for the German-speaking region, founded by financial experts, entrepreneurs, and former DAX board members. The firm manages several private equity and private debt funds with more than €1 billion of assets under management. Rantum’s private equity funds focus on majority equity investments in medium-sized companies, investing capital from predominantly German institutional investors.
This strategic partnership between Crescent Capital Group and Rantum Capital underscores a shared commitment to supporting the growth and development of companies like Aqua Group, which play a vital role in providing essential restoration services across Germany.
