SAF-HOLLAND gains new investors
- Financial investor Pamplona sells its 34.5% stake after four years
to investors in the United Kingdom, Germany and USA
- CEO Rudi Ludwig: greater independence, increased attractiveness in
capital markets
Bessenbach, 14. May 2010 - The previous major shareholder of SAF-HOLLAND
S.A., Pamplona Capital Partners I, LP, informed the Company today about
their disposal of its 34.5% stake in the Company. The shares have been sold
to 14 institutional investors in the United Kingdom, Germany and the USA.
Pamplona acquired the SAF Group in March 2006 and helped shape the most
important strategic actions taken since then: the merger of the German SAF
Group with the North American Holland Group, the initial public offering in
2007 as well as the acquisition of the landing leg business from
Austin-Westran and the purchase of Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik in 2008.
'Even during the crisis in 2009, Pamplona was always a constructive and
dependable partner', said Rudi Ludwig, CEO of SAF-HOLLAND.
Following the departure of Pamplona from the shareholder base, the free
float increases substantially to 79,0%, with the remaining 21,0% held by
the Company's management. 'The new shareholder structure gives SAF-HOLLAND
a greater degree of independence', says CEO Rudi Ludwig 'our attractiveness
in the capital markets also increases. And, importantly, the fact that a
number of well-known investors are now on board is a sign of confidence in
our business model and the strategy of SAF-HOLLAND.'
Company Profile:
With approximately EUR 420 million in sales and over 2,000 employees,
SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers
of premium product systems and components primarily for trailers as well as
trucks, buses and recreational vehicles. The product range encompasses axle
and suspension systems, fifth wheels, coupling devices, kingpins, and
landing legs. SAF-HOLLAND customers include the majority of large truck and
trailer producers all over the world. The products are sold to Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Original Equipment Suppliers (OESs) by
means of a global service and distribution network and via aftermarket
channels to service workshops and directly to end users. SAF-HOLLAND has
established itself as one of the few manufacturers in its sector that is
internationally positioned with an extensive product range and a broad
service network. SAF-HOLLAND S.A. has been listed in the Prime Standard of
the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since July 2007.
Contact:
SAF-HOLLAND Group GmbH
Barbara Zanzinger
Hauptstraße 26
63856 Bessenbach
Phone +49 6095 301-617
barbara.zanzinger@safholland.de
14.05.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Media Release distributed by DGAP.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de