Transformation · Transactions · Value Creation
Helping businesses improve performance, execute complex change and create shareholder value.
Horizon Bridge Advisory is a Brisbane-based advisory practice supporting privately owned and private equity-backed businesses through transformation, sourcing and supply chain improvement, strategic transactions and growth initiatives.
About
Stephan Wirtz is a business transformation, transaction and value creation executive. He advises and leads businesses through periods of growth, change and ownership transition.
He began his career in management consulting with Horváth & Partner in Germany, delivering restructuring, cost accounting and performance management projects for automotive, utilities and public-sector clients, and leading benchmarking studies.
He then moved into operating roles: financial controlling at Bosch, followed by senior finance and operating leadership positions in Asia and Australia across industrial machinery, consumer technology accessories and apparel manufacturing, including private equity-backed businesses. In Hong Kong he also founded and ran his own consulting firm, advising western companies on Asia sourcing and performance management.
Benchmarking has stayed central to how he works. As a consultant he prepared benchmarking studies for clients; as an executive he used benchmarking and KPIs to drive make-or-buy decisions and factory performance.
Horizon Bridge Advisory brings both perspectives together. Stephan works with shareholders, boards and management teams to identify value creation opportunities and to execute them inside the business.
Track record
Global apparel business (~AUD 500m revenue) within a EUR 12bn industrial group.Global sourcing and supply chain strategy, using cost benchmarking to guide make-or-buy decisions and production shifts across internal and external factories.
Vertically integrated apparel manufacturer and retailer, ~2,000 employees.Customer portfolio and pricing discipline, production outsourced to Southeast Asia, cost take-outs.
Consumer technology accessories business, transformed from a development and trading model into a global manufacturer.Established the group's first two factories in China and built finance, IT, HR and governance foundations.
Private equity-backed manufacturing group, supporting the investor's exit.Due diligence, negotiations and stakeholder coordination, alongside equity raising and new bank facilities.
High-tech machinery manufacturer during the Global Financial Crisis.Business stabilised and rebuilt after a revenue decline of ~80%.
Sectors: apparel and textiles · consumer technology accessories · industrial machinery · automotive · utilities and public sector
How I help
I work independently and hands-on, alongside owners and management teams, from diagnosis through to implementation, with no supplier or commission interests.
Improve margins and unlock international supply opportunities.
Improve profitability, cash generation and operating performance.
Support major strategic and ownership events.
Prepare businesses for financing, growth and future transactions.
Contact
Whether you are considering a transformation initiative, reviewing your procurement and sourcing, preparing for a strategic transaction or looking to improve business performance, I welcome the opportunity to connect.