DGAP-News: Kontron further strengthens financial position for future growth
28.07.2009
Kontron AG / Capital Increase
28.07.2009
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Warburg Pincus acquires 8.8 percent of Kontron AG shares / Fresh capital
for acquisitions
Eching, Munich, July 28, 2009. Kontron AG, a leading international provider
of embedded computer technology, further strengthens its financial position
and outlook for future growth. As announced by the company's management
board, Warburg Pincus, one of the world's largest growth investors, is
acquiring 8.8 percent of Kontron AG shares (based on the increased share
capital) by way of a capital increase.
Warburg Pincus represents an additional and highly important strategic
investor that is known not only for its long-term investment commitment and
its approach as a partner to management, but also for its financial
strength and M&A and industry expertise. Ulrich Gehrmann, CEO of Kontron AG
commented: 'With the fresh funds from the capital increase, we are
strengthening our solid equity and liquidity position. In particular, the
proceeds from the capital increase allow us not only to make long-term
investments that bolster our market position, but also to be flexible to
make acquisitions'. According to Mr. Gehrmann, Kontron currently finds
itself in a rapidly consolidating market. This situation offers significant
strategic opportunities around the world that the company now aims to
exploit with targeted acquisitions.
For Warburg Pincus, which has a portfolio of more than 100 companies around
the world and holds more than USD 25 billion in assets under management,
this investment has great potential. Jeremy Young, managing director at
Warburg Pincus Deutschland GmbH commented: 'We are very pleased to be
investing in Kontron, a recognized global industry leader in a growing
market. Our proposed capital infusion will provide the company with the
liquidity needed to accelerate growth, both organically and through
acquisitions. We look forward to working with the management team at
Kontron and drawing upon our substantial M&A and deep technology expertise
to help create further value for all stakeholders'.
Share purchase through capital increase
On July 27, 2009, the management board of Kontron AG, with the consent of
the supervisory board granted on the same date, resolved a capital increase
from authorized capital. As part of this capital increase, Kontron AG's
issued share capital will increase from EUR 50,788,024 by EUR 4,895,000 to
EUR 55,683,024 against contributions in cash. A total of 4,895,000 ordinary
bearer shares will be issued with entitlement to dividends from January 1,
2009. The new shares will be issued at an issue price of EUR 7.88 per
share. The company will receive a total gross amount of approximately EUR
38.6 million. The Shareholders' preferential subscription rights have been
excluded. The new shares will be subscribed for by a Warburg Pincus entity.
Press contact for Kontron:
Investor Relations: Further information:
Gaby Moldan Dr. Udo Nimsdorf
Kontron AG Engel & Zimmermann AG
Oskar-von-Miller-Str. 1, Agentur für Wirtschaftskommunikation
85386 Eching Schloss Fußberg, Am Schlosspark 15,
Tel:08165/77212,Fax08165/77222 82131 Gauting
Tel: 089-89 35 633, Fax: 089-89 39 84 29
Email: Gaby.Moldan@kontron.com Email: info@engel-zimmermann.de
Press contact for Warburg Pincus in the UK:
Sarah Gestetner / Angharad Couch
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd
3 London Wall Buildings
London Wall
London EC2M 5SY
Tel: 020 7638 9571
Email angharad.couch@citigatedr.co.uk / nicola.smith@citigatedr.co.uk
About Kontron
Kontron AG is one of the world's largest manufacturers of embedded computer
technology (ECT) and supplies leading OEMs, system integrators and
application providers in a broad range of market segments, such as data and
telecommunications, automation, mobile computing, medical technology,
military technology, aerospace, and measuring and control engineering. The
aim is to create major competitive advantages for customers through a
significant reduction of time-to-market and costs.
Kontron AG is headquartered in Eching (near Munich, Germany); further
important locations are Kaufbeuren/Germany, Deggendorf/Germany,
Pittsburgh/USA, San Diego/USA, Montréal/Canada, Penang/Malaysia,
Taipei/Taiwan, Moscow/Russia, and Beijing/China. The Kontron Group employs
more than 2,500 employees (including more than 900 highly-qualified
engineers), and is listed in the TecDAX 30 Index.
The company is well positioned to support its customers on a global scale
due to its strategically situated locations and production facilities, both
in the Asian-Pacific region as well as in Canada, Europe, and the United
States. This factor is gaining even greater significance through the
accelerating spread of embedded computer technology throughout almost all
industrial applications. The product portfolio comprises PCI, CompactPCI
and VME solutions at computer board level, open platforms for communication
servers, rack equipment, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), portable
computers, embedded hardware, and customer-specific solutions.
About Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus is a leading global private equity firm. The firm has more
than USD 25 billion in assets under management. Its active portfolio of
more than 100 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and
geography. Warburg Pincus is a growth investor and an experienced partner
to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable
value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 12 private equity funds
which have invested more than $29 billion in approximately 600 companies in
30 countries.
Since the firm's first European transaction in 1983, Warburg Pincus has
invested more than $5 billion in European companies, including investments
in Ziggo, Loyalty Management Group, WNS Global Services (NYSE: WNS), Eurand
(NASDAQ: EURX), Zentiva (LSE: ZEND and PSE: ZENTIVA), Channel 5
Broadcasting Ltd., Euromedic and Easycash.
Warburg Pincus has invested more than $10 billion globally in technology,
media and telecommunications, including investments in Nuance (NASDAQ:
NUAN), Metavante (NSYE: MV), Bharti Airtel (BSE: BRTI), NeuStar (NYSE:
NSR), UGS and BEA Systems.
The firm has offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New
York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, please visit
www.warburgpincus.com.
28.07.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: Kontron AG
Oskar-von-Miller-Str. 1
85386 Eching
Deutschland
Phone: 08165-77-225
Fax: 08165-77-222
E-mail: martin.przybyla@kontron.com
Internet: www.kontron.com
ISIN: DE0006053952
WKN: 605395
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, München, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Hamburg,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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Kontron AG / Capital Increase
28.07.2009
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
=--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus acquires 8.8 percent of Kontron AG shares / Fresh capital
for acquisitions
Eching, Munich, July 28, 2009. Kontron AG, a leading international provider
of embedded computer technology, further strengthens its financial position
and outlook for future growth. As announced by the company's management
board, Warburg Pincus, one of the world's largest growth investors, is
acquiring 8.8 percent of Kontron AG shares (based on the increased share
capital) by way of a capital increase.
Warburg Pincus represents an additional and highly important strategic
investor that is known not only for its long-term investment commitment and
its approach as a partner to management, but also for its financial
strength and M&A and industry expertise. Ulrich Gehrmann, CEO of Kontron AG
commented: 'With the fresh funds from the capital increase, we are
strengthening our solid equity and liquidity position. In particular, the
proceeds from the capital increase allow us not only to make long-term
investments that bolster our market position, but also to be flexible to
make acquisitions'. According to Mr. Gehrmann, Kontron currently finds
itself in a rapidly consolidating market. This situation offers significant
strategic opportunities around the world that the company now aims to
exploit with targeted acquisitions.
For Warburg Pincus, which has a portfolio of more than 100 companies around
the world and holds more than USD 25 billion in assets under management,
this investment has great potential. Jeremy Young, managing director at
Warburg Pincus Deutschland GmbH commented: 'We are very pleased to be
investing in Kontron, a recognized global industry leader in a growing
market. Our proposed capital infusion will provide the company with the
liquidity needed to accelerate growth, both organically and through
acquisitions. We look forward to working with the management team at
Kontron and drawing upon our substantial M&A and deep technology expertise
to help create further value for all stakeholders'.
Share purchase through capital increase
On July 27, 2009, the management board of Kontron AG, with the consent of
the supervisory board granted on the same date, resolved a capital increase
from authorized capital. As part of this capital increase, Kontron AG's
issued share capital will increase from EUR 50,788,024 by EUR 4,895,000 to
EUR 55,683,024 against contributions in cash. A total of 4,895,000 ordinary
bearer shares will be issued with entitlement to dividends from January 1,
2009. The new shares will be issued at an issue price of EUR 7.88 per
share. The company will receive a total gross amount of approximately EUR
38.6 million. The Shareholders' preferential subscription rights have been
excluded. The new shares will be subscribed for by a Warburg Pincus entity.
Press contact for Kontron:
Investor Relations: Further information:
Gaby Moldan Dr. Udo Nimsdorf
Kontron AG Engel & Zimmermann AG
Oskar-von-Miller-Str. 1, Agentur für Wirtschaftskommunikation
85386 Eching Schloss Fußberg, Am Schlosspark 15,
Tel:08165/77212,Fax08165/77222 82131 Gauting
Tel: 089-89 35 633, Fax: 089-89 39 84 29
Email: Gaby.Moldan@kontron.com Email: info@engel-zimmermann.de
Press contact for Warburg Pincus in the UK:
Sarah Gestetner / Angharad Couch
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd
3 London Wall Buildings
London Wall
London EC2M 5SY
Tel: 020 7638 9571
Email angharad.couch@citigatedr.co.uk / nicola.smith@citigatedr.co.uk
About Kontron
Kontron AG is one of the world's largest manufacturers of embedded computer
technology (ECT) and supplies leading OEMs, system integrators and
application providers in a broad range of market segments, such as data and
telecommunications, automation, mobile computing, medical technology,
military technology, aerospace, and measuring and control engineering. The
aim is to create major competitive advantages for customers through a
significant reduction of time-to-market and costs.
Kontron AG is headquartered in Eching (near Munich, Germany); further
important locations are Kaufbeuren/Germany, Deggendorf/Germany,
Pittsburgh/USA, San Diego/USA, Montréal/Canada, Penang/Malaysia,
Taipei/Taiwan, Moscow/Russia, and Beijing/China. The Kontron Group employs
more than 2,500 employees (including more than 900 highly-qualified
engineers), and is listed in the TecDAX 30 Index.
The company is well positioned to support its customers on a global scale
due to its strategically situated locations and production facilities, both
in the Asian-Pacific region as well as in Canada, Europe, and the United
States. This factor is gaining even greater significance through the
accelerating spread of embedded computer technology throughout almost all
industrial applications. The product portfolio comprises PCI, CompactPCI
and VME solutions at computer board level, open platforms for communication
servers, rack equipment, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), portable
computers, embedded hardware, and customer-specific solutions.
About Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus is a leading global private equity firm. The firm has more
than USD 25 billion in assets under management. Its active portfolio of
more than 100 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and
geography. Warburg Pincus is a growth investor and an experienced partner
to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable
value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 12 private equity funds
which have invested more than $29 billion in approximately 600 companies in
30 countries.
Since the firm's first European transaction in 1983, Warburg Pincus has
invested more than $5 billion in European companies, including investments
in Ziggo, Loyalty Management Group, WNS Global Services (NYSE: WNS), Eurand
(NASDAQ: EURX), Zentiva (LSE: ZEND and PSE: ZENTIVA), Channel 5
Broadcasting Ltd., Euromedic and Easycash.
Warburg Pincus has invested more than $10 billion globally in technology,
media and telecommunications, including investments in Nuance (NASDAQ:
NUAN), Metavante (NSYE: MV), Bharti Airtel (BSE: BRTI), NeuStar (NYSE:
NSR), UGS and BEA Systems.
The firm has offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New
York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, please visit
www.warburgpincus.com.
28.07.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
=--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language: English
Issuer: Kontron AG
Oskar-von-Miller-Str. 1
85386 Eching
Deutschland
Phone: 08165-77-225
Fax: 08165-77-222
E-mail: martin.przybyla@kontron.com
Internet: www.kontron.com
ISIN: DE0006053952
WKN: 605395
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, München, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Hamburg,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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