Markus Liebherr
Encyclopedia
Markus Liebherr was a German-born Swiss businessman and a member of one of Europe's top family business dynasties.
He was the son of the late Hans Liebherr, who started the company Liebherr
, one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery, set up over 60 years ago in Germany.
Markus was given equal shares in the German holding company in the 1980s when the business moved its management headquarters to Switzerland. He later handed most of his shares back to his family, and he has been running his own group of companies, the Mali Group, since 1994.
His holding company, DMWSL 613 Limited, bought English Football League One
side Southampton
in July 2009, which took the club out of administration.
Liebherr died of a heart attack, on 10 August 2010.
● One of the companies is CRT Common Rail Technologies AG based in Beringen, Switzerland – a business concerning the ‘research and design of common rail systems’.
● Another of his companies is Mali Motan AG, also based in Beringen and concerning the ‘manufacturing and sales of CVT transmissions and common rail systems."
● A third company is the German-based BSG Bodensee Steuergeräte – its primary business being the ‘research, design, manufacturing and sales of electronic control units for common rail injection and transmissions."
● MALI Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH based in Eberhardzell, Germany, concerns ‘research and design transmission technology.’
● MALI Spezialfahrzeugbau GmbH, based in Elbe, Germany, deals with ‘research, design, manufacture and sale’ of offroad vehicles.
The group's website says: "Our ideology is dealing with the development of leading-edge products oriented at the market that follow technologically new ways and show ecologically a large potential."
, Southampton
's former holding company, had been placed in administration, Markus Liebherr's bid to buy the club was successfully completed. The total amount he had paid has not been disclosed but it is believed to be around £13–15 million.
Once the deal had been completed, the administrator of the holdings company, Mark Fry of Begbies Traynor
, told the Southern Daily Echo
: "I am absolutely delighted the takeover has been completed."
"I am not only delighted that it has been completed but also that it has gone to who we feel was the right buyer."
"I would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way – the fans, staff, players and all the media for all their coverage."
Markus Liebherr will now install a new CEO and board of directors. On 9 July 2009, Andy Oldknow, was given the position of CEO at the club.
Below is a statement released by the club:
Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc Joint Administrator Mark Fry today confirms that DMWSL613 Limited has acquired the Company's assets, principally Southampton Football Club for an undisclosed sum.
The purchaser is owned and controlled by Markus Liebherr, 61, who is a Swiss national. Markus Liebherr also owns and controls the Swiss-based Mali Group, which consists of five companies engaged in technologically advanced engineering.
Mark Fry and his team from Begbies Traynor who have been in talks with a number of interested parties, were impressed by Markus Liebherr and his team's commitment and plans for the Club.
Joint Administrator Mark Fry commented: "The sale of the Saints to Markus Liebherr is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the Club.
Markus Liebherr was attracted to Southampton by a number of qualities which include the Club's rich sporting heritage, loyal fan base, first class stadium and training facilities and the potential for the Saints to regain their rightful place at the higher echelons of English football.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Saints' fans for their support and patience in what have been uncertain times for the Club. I would also like to wish both Markus and the Club well for future success."
Below is part of Markus Liebherr's statement:
"I believe we have a superb opportunity to rebuild this great Club. Clearly, this will require resources, planning, hard work and patience. We will assemble a strong management team at every level of the Club. We will act rapidly, but also plan for the long term, because I am here for the long term."
"I also look forward to the Club re-engaging with the fans and the local community. We cannot succeed without their backing."
"We should not expect instant success, but our fans, employees and other stakeholders can expect 100 per cent commitment from me and my team."
Shortly after his acquisition of the club, Liebherr appointed Nicola Cortese
as Executive Chairman.
In the first year of Liebherr's ownership, Southampton F.C. overcame a ten point deduction for going into administration to mount a late challenge for the play-offs, missing out by seven points. On 28 March 2010, Southampton won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy
at Wembley Stadium
.
He was the son of the late Hans Liebherr, who started the company Liebherr
Liebherr Group
The Liebherr Group is a German manufacturing complex established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The Liebherr Group's holding company is Liebherr-International AG in Bulle, Switzerland, which is entirely owned by members of the Liebherr family...
, one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery, set up over 60 years ago in Germany.
Markus was given equal shares in the German holding company in the 1980s when the business moved its management headquarters to Switzerland. He later handed most of his shares back to his family, and he has been running his own group of companies, the Mali Group, since 1994.
His holding company, DMWSL 613 Limited, bought English Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in July 2009, which took the club out of administration.
Liebherr died of a heart attack, on 10 August 2010.
MALI International AG
The Mali group contains five independent businesses, all belonging to the MALI Markus Liebherr International group whose head offices are in Fribourg, Switzerland.● One of the companies is CRT Common Rail Technologies AG based in Beringen, Switzerland – a business concerning the ‘research and design of common rail systems’.
● Another of his companies is Mali Motan AG, also based in Beringen and concerning the ‘manufacturing and sales of CVT transmissions and common rail systems."
● A third company is the German-based BSG Bodensee Steuergeräte – its primary business being the ‘research, design, manufacturing and sales of electronic control units for common rail injection and transmissions."
● MALI Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH based in Eberhardzell, Germany, concerns ‘research and design transmission technology.’
● MALI Spezialfahrzeugbau GmbH, based in Elbe, Germany, deals with ‘research, design, manufacture and sale’ of offroad vehicles.
The group's website says: "Our ideology is dealing with the development of leading-edge products oriented at the market that follow technologically new ways and show ecologically a large potential."
Southampton Football Club
On 8 July 2009, 98 days after Southampton Leisure Holdings PLCSouthampton Leisure Holdings PLC
Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC was the parent company of Southampton Football Club Ltd and was listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The company was placed into administration on 2 April 2009.- Subsidiaries :...
, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
's former holding company, had been placed in administration, Markus Liebherr's bid to buy the club was successfully completed. The total amount he had paid has not been disclosed but it is believed to be around £13–15 million.
Once the deal had been completed, the administrator of the holdings company, Mark Fry of Begbies Traynor
Begbies Traynor
Begbies Traynor is a firm specialising in corporate restructuring. They were formed in 1989, expanded through mergers and organic growth and were floated in 2004. The company employs over 500 people and has 45 offices around the United Kingdom.-History:The company was formed as Traynor & Partners...
, told the Southern Daily Echo
Southern Daily Echo
The Southern Daily Echo, commonly known as the Daily Echo or simply The Echo, is a local newspaper that covers the area of south-central Hampshire, England, including the city of Southampton...
: "I am absolutely delighted the takeover has been completed."
"I am not only delighted that it has been completed but also that it has gone to who we feel was the right buyer."
"I would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way – the fans, staff, players and all the media for all their coverage."
Markus Liebherr will now install a new CEO and board of directors. On 9 July 2009, Andy Oldknow, was given the position of CEO at the club.
Below is a statement released by the club:
Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc Joint Administrator Mark Fry today confirms that DMWSL613 Limited has acquired the Company's assets, principally Southampton Football Club for an undisclosed sum.
The purchaser is owned and controlled by Markus Liebherr, 61, who is a Swiss national. Markus Liebherr also owns and controls the Swiss-based Mali Group, which consists of five companies engaged in technologically advanced engineering.
Mark Fry and his team from Begbies Traynor who have been in talks with a number of interested parties, were impressed by Markus Liebherr and his team's commitment and plans for the Club.
Joint Administrator Mark Fry commented: "The sale of the Saints to Markus Liebherr is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the Club.
Markus Liebherr was attracted to Southampton by a number of qualities which include the Club's rich sporting heritage, loyal fan base, first class stadium and training facilities and the potential for the Saints to regain their rightful place at the higher echelons of English football.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Saints' fans for their support and patience in what have been uncertain times for the Club. I would also like to wish both Markus and the Club well for future success."
Below is part of Markus Liebherr's statement:
"I believe we have a superb opportunity to rebuild this great Club. Clearly, this will require resources, planning, hard work and patience. We will assemble a strong management team at every level of the Club. We will act rapidly, but also plan for the long term, because I am here for the long term."
"I also look forward to the Club re-engaging with the fans and the local community. We cannot succeed without their backing."
"We should not expect instant success, but our fans, employees and other stakeholders can expect 100 per cent commitment from me and my team."
Shortly after his acquisition of the club, Liebherr appointed Nicola Cortese
Nicola Cortese
Nicola Cortese is an Italian banker who was appointed Executive Chairman of Southampton Football Club, based in Southampton, England, in August 2009.-Banking career:...
as Executive Chairman.
In the first year of Liebherr's ownership, Southampton F.C. overcame a ten point deduction for going into administration to mount a late challenge for the play-offs, missing out by seven points. On 28 March 2010, Southampton won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.
External links
- Markus Liebherr - The Independent Obituary - 27 August 2010