Dörken Acquires J.W. Ostendorf from Fidelium Partners, Strengthening Its Position in the Paints and Coatings Industry

With the acquisition of J.W. Ostendorf GmbH & Co. KG (JWO), the Dörken Group is beginning a new chapter. Guided by the motto “Painting a Colourful Future,” the company is focusing on growth, innovation and supply chain excellence made in Germany.

Fidelium Partners acquired J.W. Ostendorf from Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel in 2024 through a corporate carve-out. Under Fidelium’s ownership, the company completed an organisational, operational and strategic transformation. Dörken’s acquisition gives JWO a long-term strategic partner committed to building on this progress while preserving its identity and established strengths.

Dörken and J.W. Ostendorf share a commitment to quality, strong customer relationships, entrepreneurial responsibility and long-term thinking. Their capabilities are also highly complementary: Dörken brings strong brands, extensive research and development expertise, and a leading position in the professional market, while JWO contributes deep expertise in the DIY market, private-label solutions and toll manufacturing.

Thorsten Koch, Member of the Executive Board of Ewald Dörken AG and CEO of Dörken Coatings, commented: “ J.W. Ostendorf has achieved remarkable progress in recent years and today stands for operational excellence, efficiency and a strong customer focus. We are delighted to welcome the JWO team to the Dörken family. By bringing together our complementary strengths, we can accelerate innovation, unlock new opportunities and create even greater value for our customers.”

Jan Ostendorf, CEO of J.W. Ostendorf, added: “In Dörken, we have found a partner that shares our values and believes in our strengths. The past few years have shown what can be achieved when people work towards a common goal with passion, courage and a clear vision. I would like to sincerely thank Fidelium Partners for a trustful cooperation and our employees, customers, suppliers and partners who have supported us throughout this journey. This acquisition opens up exciting new opportunities for growth, innovation and sustainable success. At the same time, the qualities that have defined JWO for decades – our culture, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit – will remain at the heart of who we are and will be an important part of our future.”

Dominik Beck, Managing Partner, and David Burresi, Investment Director at Fidelium Partners, comment: “We are delighted to hand over JWO to Dörken after just over two years of intensive and successful collaboration. Together with Phillip Wagner as Operating Partner and the local management team, we have improved the company strategically, organisationally and operationally, positioning it strongly for future growth. We are convinced that Dörken is the ideal long-term owner to preserve JWO’s strengths while providing fresh impetus and new impulses for the future. We look forward to following the company’s continued development under its new ownership.”

Committed to the Future of Paint

The acquisition represents more than a strategic transaction. Dörken and JWO share a foundation of family values, entrepreneurial responsibility and long-term thinking. Together, they aim to shape the future of the paints and coatings industry, advance innovation and strengthen their position in the European market.

Product development and marketing for the professional coatings market, along with pigment-paste production, will remain at Dörken’s Competence Centre in Herdecke. Architectural paints will continue to be produced at JWO’s site in Coesfeld.

Both organisations will continue to operate independently, with their own management teams and organisational structures tailored to the needs of their respective markets and customers. At the same time, JWO will further expand its role as a manufacturing and logistics platform, making its capabilities available to a wider range of companies across the paints and coatings industry.

Source: Dörken