Munich, 28 July 2008
AURELIUS sells KWE to Austrian Kresta Group
Sale of KWE Stahl- und Industriebau GmbH & Co. KG to strategic investor
High potential for synergies for KWE as well as for purchaser Kresta
Proof of success of AURELIUS Group’s business model
AURELIUS AG has sold its portfolio company KWE Stahl- und Industriebau GmbH & Co. KG including its wholly-owned subsidiary KWE Ludwigshafen GmbH to Kresta Group, St. Andrä (Austria), an integrated steel and plant construction company specialised in steel-based tank and pipeline constructions for various industries.
KWE - headquartered in Wesseling (Cologne) - is one of the leading German steel construction service providers for the Chemicals industry, mainly serving its clients on-site with plant construction and maintenance engineering services for structural steel works. In 2007, KWE generated sales of approximately EUR 26 million and currently employs approximately 110 staff at 12 operating sites in Germany. After the successful completion of operational restructuring measures led by AURELIUS since 2006, KWE has again experienced growth and improved profitability.
Gert Purkert, Member of the Managing Board of AURELIUS AG, is pleased with the outcome of the sales process: "After the successful completion of the realignment, we decided to accept an offer from a strategic partner for the company, who will further expand the business.”
By adding KWE’s steel service business and established customer base to Kresta Group’s steel project activities will prove advantageous for existing customers and employees of KWE. Franz Kreuzer, General Manager and founder of Kresta, is convinced: “This will provide further cross-selling and sales increase potential for both KWE and for us. Our profound experience in the project business will offer new possibilities to KWE. The acquisition will be of great benefit for both companies.”
Through the acquisition of KWE and its steel service business, Kresta will further strengthen its product portfolio and will gain access to a renowned customer base within the Chemicals industry. In turn, further growth opportunities arise through the offering of Kresta’s complementary pipeline construction services for KWE’s existing markets and customers.
About AURELIUS AG
AURELIUS AG based in Munich, Germany, is a Frankfurt stock exchange listed industrial holding company. AURELIUS acquires and actively develops medium-sized companies and business units that no longer belong to the core business of their previous owners. These include corporate spin-offs and divestitures, as well as companies with operational improvement potential. Through its operational in-house team, AURELIUS enhances the value of its portfolio companies to the benefit of all stakeholders taking into account corporate and social responsibility. The shares of AURELIUS AG are traded on the open market of the Frankfurt stock exchange (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8).
About Kresta Anlagenbau GmbH Nfg & Co KG
After its foundation by Franz Kreuzer in 1986, Kresta Anlagenbau has gained profound experience in industrial plant construction and carried out numerous major client projects all over the world. For the ongoing fiscal year, the Group forecasts sales of approx. EUR 150 million and currently employs around 400 staff. The Company serves its customers from various industries with engineering,,manufacturing, assembly, insulation, and development services..
For further information on AURELIUS please contact:
Ingo Middelmenne
Investor Relations & Corporate Communication
phone. +49 (0)89.5447.99.56
fax. +49 (0)89.5447.99.55
investor(at)aureliusinvest.de
