eps and NÜSSLI merge with 820 employees: Andy Böckli becomes Group CEO

The merger unites two global market leaders: eps, a leader in temporary turf and ground protection systems as well as Crowd Control, and NÜSSLI, a leader in grandstands, event structures, stadiums, and special constructions. Both companies also complement each other geographically, with strong market presences in partially different regions and coverage of different customer segments.

by Nüssli || August 12, 2026

Andy Böckli will become Group CEO of eps and Nüssli.

The merger of eps and NÜSSLI creates a globally active, Europe-based provider of temporary event infrastructure. Customers receive the entire spectrum from a single source: from turf and ground protection systems to crowd control, stages and grandstands, all the way to temporary stadiums. The new group employs 820 people at 50 locations and implements projects worldwide. Andy Böckli, formerly CEO of the NÜSSLI Group, is the Group CEO. Both companies will continue to operate in the market as eps and NÜSSLI, with their headquarters in Munich and Hüttwilen, respectively.

Two global market leaders that complement each other

Founded 30 years ago, eps specializes in turf and ground protection systems, crowd control, and visitor management for events. The owner-managed family business, headquartered in Munich, employs 350 people at 29 locations and manages approximately 5,000 events annually, primarily in Europe, North America, Brazil, and Australia.

For 85 years, NÜSSLI has been realizing temporary grandstands, stadiums, stages, halls, expo pavilions, exhibitions, and special structures. The Swiss group employs 470 people at 21 locations and completes around 1,500 projects annually, primarily in its home market of Switzerland, as well as in Central and Southern Europe and the Americas.

Ideal succession plan

In 2017, an investor consortium led by Helvetica Capital invested in the NÜSSLI Group under special circumstances. Helvetica and the entrepreneurial investors contributed a combination of operational experience, strategic clarity, and patient capital. This enabled the management team, following the successful restructuring of the business, to lay the foundation for sustainable, profitable growth.

It had been clear for some time that, following the successful turnaround and strong growth, the shareholders wanted to manage the succession from a position of strength. Helvetica and the NÜSSLI management deliberately opted for a strategic owner from within the industry who brings market knowledge and growth capital. This means that NÜSSLI is transitioning into an owner-managed European family business with a long-term perspective.

One contact person for the entire event infrastructure

For customers, the broader range of services is the main advantage: Those who previously only knew one of the two companies can now access the full spectrum of services from both, all from a single source. This is further enhanced by global coverage through the additional market presence of each company. The combined size also provides benefits in terms of service availability and response time.

A global market leader in temporary event infrastructure is being created, with 820 employees at 50 locations and projects around the world. The combined client base includes Live Nation, the WEF, AEG Live, the IOC, FKP Scorpio, Formula 1, the ATP Tour, the Ski World Cup, the Ryder Cup, Red Bull, and organizers of international tours, as well as participants in world expositions and the world's most prestigious festivals such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and EDC.

“We know from our customers that they prefer a smaller number of suppliers to optimize coordination and meet increasingly tight deadlines and stricter technical and organizational requirements. From today, we can do exactly that,” says Tom Bilsen, CEO of eps. “In addition, we will now also be present in areas where previously only one of the two companies operated.”

“Both companies are in a strong operational and financial position. That’s precisely why the timing is right: We are acting from a position of strength,” says Andy Böckli, Group CEO. “The merger is designed for growth: Additional markets and a broader product range mean increased expansion with a greater need for investment and staff. The familiar professional and consistent contact for our customers will remain unchanged, but the underlying offering will.”

Both companies are celebrating an anniversary this year: eps has been in existence for 30 years, NÜSSLI for 85. Together that's 115 years of experience, which will flow into joint projects in the future.

About eps

Since its founding in 1996, eps has been a reliable partner to the global live entertainment industry. The company supplies temporary turf and ground protection systems, GIGS barriers, access gates and construction fences, access and signage systems, as well as a comprehensive range of site materials. This rental portfolio is complemented by CAD drawings, project management, and global touring logistics, enabling eps to support concerts, tours, festivals, and sporting and cultural events worldwide.

The owner-managed family business, headquartered in Munich, employs 350 people and manages around 5,000 events annually from an international network of 29 locations. Development and production are located in Italy, Mexico, and Germany. The company's geographic focus is on Europe, North and Central America, Brazil, and Australia.

About the NÜSSLI Group

NÜSSLI creates the connections that make unforgettable events possible – like the wedge coupling, whose invention by founder Heini Nüssli revolutionized event construction. Through its projects in sports, culture, and business, NÜSSLI connects ideas and emotions, countries and cultures, service providers and clients, event organizers and audiences.

As an experienced partner for construction projects, NÜSSLI offers temporary building solutions, civil engineering, and project management worldwide – reliably and securely realizing structures for events and complex facilities, even under tight deadlines. Their range of services includes grandstands, stages, event structures, overlays, stadiums, pavilions, museums and interior design, special-purpose buildings, and hall construction.

Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Hüttwilen, the company employs approximately 470 people at 21 locations worldwide and completes around 1,500 projects annually. Product development and a production facility for woodworking, metalwork, and interior design are located at the main site, while a joinery workshop is situated in the Czech Republic. The company has a strong presence in its home market of Switzerland, as well as in Central and Southern Europe and the Americas.

TAKE OUT

Interview with Andy Böckli: Sustainability and engineering: After Expo Osaka, it's on to Expo Riyadh for NÜSSLI