Houlihan Lokey Expands Specialty Distribution Capabilities With Senior European Hires

Core Insights - Houlihan Lokey is expanding its specialty distribution capabilities in Europe with the hiring of Philipp Widmann as Managing Director and Henning Stoltze as Director, both from Baird [1] - The firm aims to enhance its advisory services in the specialty distribution sector, leveraging the extensive experience and networks of the new hires [1] - The expansion reflects the ongoing growth of Houlihan Lokey's Industrials Group in Europe, with recent additions aimed at strengthening expertise in various subsectors [1] Group 1: New Appointments - Philipp Widmann joins as Managing Director to lead the new team in Frankfurt, bringing over a decade of experience in M&A and capital markets transactions in the business-to-business distribution sector [1] - Henning Stoltze joins as Director, focusing on the specialty distribution sector and will also be based in Frankfurt [1] Group 2: Strategic Goals - The appointments are part of Houlihan Lokey's strategy to deliver bespoke, cross-border solutions to clients in Europe, enhancing its market leadership in the specialty distribution sector [1] - The firm aims to build a global platform that integrates North American and European expertise, enhancing advisory capabilities across both regions [1] Group 3: Market Position - Houlihan Lokey's Industrials Group has been recognized as the No. 1 M&A advisor for global industrials transactions under $5 billion, advising on a total of 71 deals in 2025 [1] - The firm emphasizes its commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact solutions across diverse markets and subsectors, supported by a collaborative culture and deep sector knowledge [1]