Corporate | 18 December 2008 09:35
AURELIUS AG / Acquisition 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- • Product areas produce modern ‘car infotainment’ • Group revenue rises by EUR 200 million Munich, 18 December 2008 – Munich-based industrial holding company AURELIUS acquires the trade and components business from the Car Multimedia Division of Robert Bosch GmbH operating in the market under the brand name ‘Blaupunkt’. Relevant contracts have been signed by the two companies yesterday. The trade and components business is planned to be managed as an independent company under the well-established traditional brand Blaupunkt and will be positioned as a specialist in the field of so-called ‘car infotainment’. Apart from car radios and car hi-fi components the product range of Blaupunkt also comprises advanced navigation devices (PND). In fiscal year 2008 the company achieved sales revenue of around EUR 200 million. With its plants in Vila Real/Portugal, Beni Khalled/Tunisia, and Penang/Malaysia, Blaupunkt will continue to be operated from its headquarters in Hildesheim in the future. 'We firmly believe that Blaupunkt will continue to hold a strong position in the market for car infotainment in the future,' Dr. Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS, is convinced. 'Together we will successfully meet the specific needs of the current tense market environment.' 'Henceforth, we will focus on the core business in the area of original equipment and networked, integrated systems. The divested areas only marginally added to this, so we have been looking for a partner,' says Dr. Uwe Thomas, chairman of the board of the Bosch Car Multimedia Division. 'In the selection of AURELIUS location and employment issues have also played an important role.' Both parties agreed on maintaining secrecy over the purchase price. The takeover of the Blaupunkt product areas of trade and components business is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The closing of the transaction is expected in early February 2009. Despite the current challenging situation in the capital markets, AURELIUS has a strong liquidity and capital position and is well positioned for further transactions already in the near future. For more information on AURELIUS, we are happy to serve you: Ingo Middelmenne Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Fon +49 (89) 544799 - 56 Fax +49 (89) 544799 - 55 ingo.middelmenne@aureliusinvest.de About AURELIUS AG AURELIUS AG with headquarters in Munich acquires medium-sized businesses and group subsidiaries, which no longer correspond to the core business of its former owner. AURELIUS also acquires companies with complex structures and actively continues to develop them. With the help of a separate, specialized task force the company lifts the potential for added value of its subsidiaries for the benefit of all stakeholders and is well aware of the related social responsibility. The shares of AURELIUS AG are traded in the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8). About Bosch Group Bosch Group is a leading global technology and service company. With automotive and industrial technology as well as household goods and building technology approximately 271,000 employees generated in fiscal year 2007 revenues of EUR 46.3 billion in fiscal year 2007. Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiary and regional companies in over 50 countries. The Bosch Car Multimedia division with its subsidiary Blaupunkt has its headquarters in Hildesheim and produces driver information and display systems, car audio, car speakers and vehicle antennas. In fiscal year 2007 it generated revenues of more than EUR 1.3 billion and employs approximately 8,500 employees worldwide. 18.12.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP ----------------------------------------------------------------------