Dörken Acquires J.W. Ostendorf from Fidelium Partners and Shapes Its Future in the Paints and Coatings Industry

Herdecke / Coesfeld / Munich, 15th October 2026 – With the acquisition of J.W. Ostendorf GmbH & Co. KG (JWO), the Dörken Group embarks a new chapter. Under the motto “Painting a colourful future”, Dörken is committing to growth, innovation and supply chain excellence made in Germany.

J.W. Ostendorf was acquired by Fidelium Partners from the Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel in 2024 as part of a corporate carve-out. During Fidelium’s ownership, the company mastered an organisational, operational and strategic transformation. With Dörken now taking ownership, JWO gains a long-term strategic partner dedicated to continuing this successful development while preserving the company’s identity and established strengths.

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.”

Dörken and J.W. Ostendorf share a common commitment to quality, customer relationships, entrepreneurial responsibility and long-term thinking. At the same time, their capabilities complement each other exceptionally well. Dörken contributes with strong brands, extensive research and development expertise, and a recognised leadership position in the professional segment. JWO brings deep expertise in the DIY market, private label solutions and toll manufacturing capabilities.

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.”

Committing to paint

This acquisition is far more than a strategic transaction. Both companies are built on family values, entrepreneurial responsibility and a long-term perspective. Together, Dörken and JWO will shape the future of the paints and coatings industry, drive innovation and further strengthen their position in the European market.

The development and marketing of products for the professional coatings market and  the production of pigment pastes will remain at the Competence Centre in Herdecke while the production of architectural paints takes place 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.

About Dörken

The Dörken Group is an international family-owned company based in Herdecke, Germany. Its Dörken Coatings business unit is known for high-quality coating and paint solutions for professional trade (including the well-established LUCITE^® and CWS WERTLACK brands), pigment paste technology, industrial coatings and specialised applications. Driven by strong innovation, extensive application expertise and its own research and development capabilities, Dörken is among the leading suppliers in the European market.

About JWO

Founded in 1948, J.W. Ostendorf GmbH & Co. KG, based in Coesfeld, is one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of paints and coatings for the retail and industrial sectors. The company is known for its manufacturing expertise, close customer relationships and highly efficient processes. With a state-of-the-art production facility and an annual capacity of more than 200 million litres, JWO has a strong industrial foundation. At the same time, deep market insight and strong in-house research and development capabilities continue to drive the advancement of sustainable, resource-efficient products.

About Fidelium

Fidelium Partners is a Munich-based private equity company focused on majority investments in medium-sized businesses across Europe. The investment focus includes companies with operational improvement potential, corporate carve-outs, and special situations. Fidelium follows a proactive, hands-on approach, working closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to drive sustainable growth and enhance long-term competitiveness. Fidelium manages two funds backed by German entrepreneurial families, with total assets under management of EUR 253 million.