New shareholders at Kettler GmbH

Bergisch Gladbach, 07.01.2025 - HAUFF-TECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of the listed INDUS Holding AG, is acquiring all shares in KETTLER GmbH, Dorsten, with economic effect from January 1, 2025. With around 60 employees, the medium-sized manufacturer of components and installation fittings for pipeline construction generates annual sales of around EUR 9 million. The product portfolio includes installation fittings and actuating keys for operating valves and hydrants, both above and below ground and in manholes. Wall ducts and house entries are also part of the product range. KETTLER strengthens the INDUS Infrastructure segment as a supplementary acquisition for the investment in HAUFF-TECHNIK, a manufacturer of sealing systems for cables, pipes and building entries.

"As a highly profitable provider in the niche market with the high level of technical expertise typical of INDUS, KETTLER fits very well into our portfolio," says Dr. Jörn Großmann, the INDUS Board member responsible for the Infrastructure segment. "With this acquisition, we are expanding our position in the future-oriented field of infrastructure networks. In view of the urgently needed expansion of supply networks, but also the regular maintenance and repair of pipelines, we see great growth potential in this area." According to the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), EUR 3.4 billion is to be invested in public water management and wastewater disposal every year, primarily in the construction and maintenance of pipelines. INDUS had already strengthened its HAUFF-TECHNIK investment at the beginning of 2024 by acquiring the remaining shares in the fiber optics specialist GRIDCOM.

With the acquisition of KETTLER, INDUS is also taking over Kettler Utility Communication GmbH: KETTLER UTILITY offers services related to underground pipeline construction, in particular the rehabilitation of defective fittings. This involves restoring the fittings to an operational condition by means of minimal intervention directly through the road cap.

Dr. Michael Seibold, Managing Director of HAUFF-TECHNIK: "KETTLER's range of services ideally complements our product portfolio. Together, we can continue to drive our growth on the last mile in water and gas supply. The technical exchange in the development of new products, which strengthens our innovative power, is central to this." Michael Buhla, former managing partner of KETTLER, says: "When handing over KETTLER, the long-term prospects for the company were particularly important to us. In addition to the technical fit, the cooperation with HAUFF-TECHNIK offers synergy effects, especially in sales. The joint market development gives KETTLER new sales opportunities, especially on international markets."

"In 2024, in addition to two first-level acquisitions, we acquired two hidden champions to complement existing portfolio companies," says Dr. Johannes Schmidt, Chairman of the INDUS Group's Board of Management. "We will continue on this path of giving our portfolio strong growth impetus through strategically and operationally suitable second-level acquisitions in 2025. The acquisition of KETTLER marks the start."

About INDUS Holding AG:

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bergisch Gladbach, INDUS Holding AG is a leading specialist for sustainable corporate development in the German-speaking SME sector. INDUS acquires two to three technology-oriented and future-oriented industrial technology companies each year in the Engineering, Infrastructure and Materials segments. As a value-oriented investment company with a clear focus on defined future topics, INDUS actively supports its operationally independent portfolio companies in their entrepreneurial development over the long term, particularly in the areas of innovation, market excellence, operational excellence and sustainability. The SDAX-listed SME holding company has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 1995 (DE0006200108). INDUS generated sales of around EUR 1.8 billion in 2023. More information at www.indus.de.

Note:
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of INDUS Holding AG and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. INDUS Holding AG assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.