Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe Acquires Frechverlag Imprint

Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe is expanding its portfolio in the advice book segment with the acquisition of Frechverlag from Weka Group. The Frechverlag team, together with management and Managing Director Michael Zirn, will continue its successful work and develop the Frech programs independently under the Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe umbrella. The publisher will retain its Stuttgart location and successfully continue its target-group-specific product development and marketing activities. The acquisition will have retroactive economic effect as of January 1, 2021, and is subject to antitrust approval.  

‘Major strategic importance’

Frechverlag was founded in 1955 and employs around 80 people. With its brands Topp and Busse Seewald, it is one of the leading publishers of creative guides and DIY publications in the German-speaking territories. While Topp is well-established as a brand for creative techniques, Busse Seewald stands for home living and lifestyle. “Frechverlag has already prospered as part of the Weka Group over recent years. Now, with Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe, we have found an ideal new home to continue growing Frechverlag and to benefit from the cooperation within the Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe network,” commented Frechverlag Managing Director Michael Zirn. Thomas Rathnow, CEO of Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe, added: “The advice sector is of major strategic importance to us. Frechverlag, with its successful programs and dedicated focus on customer needs, is the perfect complement for our publishing group. We are confident that we can maintain Frechverlag’s USPs while also learning from each other in many areas. We very much look forward to the cooperation and warmly welcome the publisher and all its employees to the Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe family.”