Munich, 16 October 2007
Daimler AG sells van producer Westfalia to industrial holding AURELIUS
- Already 6th acquisition for AURELIUS this year -
The Munich based industrial holding AURELIUS AG has acquired the caravan producer Westfalia Van Conversion GmbH from the Daimler group. The company, which is based in Rheda-Wiedenbrück (East Westphalia, Germany), realizes an annual turnover of approximately EUR 50m with approximately 230 employees.
Not only with the reissued cultic caravan "Sven Hedin", which will be launched in spring 2008, but also with its active product range, Westfalia is very well positioned. Currently, particularly compact and flexible "vans" below 3.5 tons total weight are in demand - vans that can be driven with the regular driving license.
Daimler decided to sell Westfalia as the company is no longer part of the core business of the group. Nevertheless, Daimler is very interested in a good development of Westfalia. Thus the automobile producer will also in the future have Westfalia produce the caravans "James Cook" and "Marco Polo" from Mercedes Benz as well as the super-high-roofs for the "Sprinter" within a long term partnership. "As a long term thinking investor, it is our aim to actively develop and to accompany Westfalia on its further growth and to use the enormous potential of the brand "Westfalia"", says Dr. Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS.
The purchase of Westfalia is already the sixth acquisition of AURELIUS in the current year. After purchases of subsidiaries of Arcandor (former KarstadtQuelle), Sauer Danfoss, Douglas and Deutsche Post (in 2006), AURELIUS was again able to prove itself as a reliable partner for German and international groups. "It is our aim to offer our holding companies a "Good Home". This approach creates confidence between all parties, and the selling groups appreciate this", declares Dr. Markus.
AURELIUS AG, Munich (www.aureliusinvest.com), acquires mid-sized companies and corporate spin-offs which are no longer part of the core business of the previous owner. AURELIUS acquires companies even when they are in difficult and complex situations and actively grows and develops them. Using its own specialized Task Force, AURELIUS increases the value of its investments to the benefit of all parties, with particular awareness given to its social responsibility. The shares of AURELIUS AG trade under code AR4 (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8) on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Contact
Daimler AG
Michael Gutzeit
COM/CV
phone: +49 711 17 76479
AURELIUS AG
Investor Relations & Corporate Communication
Ingo Middelmenne
phone. +49 (0)89.5447.99.0
investor(at)aureliusinvest.de
