Corporate | 22 May 2003 09:29

Funkwerk AG english

Funkwerk acquires BinTec Access Networks GmbH Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Private Networks segment extended: Funkwerk acquires BinTec Access Networks GmbH Entire business operations of BinTec Communications AG i.L. acquired – Technological competence increased – Funkwerk turns into supplier of complete network solutions – Access to new customer groups and markets in Western and Southern Europe – Anticipated sales for 2003 increased Kölleda/Nuremberg, 22 May 2003. Funkwerk AG will be taking over BinTec Access Networks GmbH and with it, the entire fixed assets and any rights of BinTec Communications AG currently in the process of winding up. With this investment, the leading supplier of professional communication systems for traffic and logistics will be extending its Private Networks business segment according to plan. “Thanks to the BinTec Access systems, Funkwerk will in future be able to operate as a supplier of complete network solutions for companies, and we are gaining access to new customer groups and markets in Western and Southern Europe,” the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Hans Grundner, explains the acquisition. Both sides have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. With retroactive effect from 1 May 2003, Funkwerk will acquire all of the shares in the Nuremberg manufacturer of network access solutions. To maintain the business operations of BinTec Communications AG i.L., BinTec Access Networks GmbH was established as a marketing company in February 2003. In addition to the tangible and intangible assets, this includes 100 per cent of the BinTec subsidiary, DERIF S.A.S., France, operating successfully on the markets in France, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. BinTec makes the running for further technological development BinTec Access Networks GmbH with its current staff of around 75 will continue to be managed as a legally independent organisation seated in Nuremberg by its Managing Directors, Stephan Feige and Thomas von Baross. Through the new parent company, the course is set for the extension of the business activity and further growth of BinTec. The development of a new product generation and access to sales channels and customer groups of the Funkwerk group will be to the fore here. In future, BinTec is to make the running in the technological further development of the Private Networks segment. Funkwerk has already established itself as the market leader in messaging and mobility systems. “With BinTec, we will in future also be able to offer complete IP-based company networks. Thus, our customers will from now on be able to obtain complete solutions under one roof,” says Dr. Hans Grundner. BinTec Access Network GmbH with its successful marketing subsidiary operating in Western and Southern Europe was said to be an excellent basis for further tapping international markets. New marketing and sales potential for Funkwerk and BinTec In the course of talks with investors, Funkwerk, on the other hand, turned out to be the ideal candidate for BinTec. “Funkwerk AG is a financially strong company that has steadily grown over the years. For us, this is the solid basis we need for the extension of our market shares both in Germany and abroad. In addition, BinTec will be getting valuable access to new customer segments, such as in the large-scale industry”, emphasises Thomas von Baross, Managing Director of BinTec Network Access GmbH. The products of both Funkwerk and BinTec are geared towards the professional user, with the security aspect playing a crucial role. The know-how of BinTec in the area of VPN security and IP technology will be complementing the know-how of Funkwerk in the area of security-relevant applications, thus corresponding to the central requirements of its regular customers in the large-scale industry and in public institutions. With the acquisition of BinTec, Funkwerk will be gaining a sales potential of around 15 million Euro for 2003. Therefore, when announcing the acquisition, Chairman of the Board Dr. Hans Grundner promised an upward adjustment of the targeted sales figures of the Funkwerk group for the current financial year. Says Grundner, “We are still working on the figures, but I believe we will see a clear upward adjustment of our sales target currently estimated to reach 126 million Euro. We are also expecting positive impulses in regard to our operating result.” Information on Funkwerk AG As a market and technology leader, Funkwerk AG specialises in communication systems for transport and logistics. With its three business segments, Traffic & Control Communication (communication and control systems for transport and logistics companies), Automotive Communication (communication equipment and accessories for vehicles), and Private Networks (messaging systems and innovative telecommunication solutions for companies and institutions), Funkwerk occupies a strategically excellent place in future markets. In the preceding 2002 financial year, Funkwerk achieved an increase in sales of around 61 per cent to Euro 108.7 million and in earnings (EBIT) of around 35 per cent, recording Euro 8.9 million Information on BinTec Access Networks GmbH BinTec Access Networks GmbH with its seat in Nuremberg is a European manufacturer of IP-based network access solutions tailored specifically to the needs of business customers. With technologies such as xDSL, ISDN Backup, VPN with IPSec, and Stateful Inspection Firewall, BinTec enables the fast and secure remote access to sensitive company data. The company provides complete solutions for the connection of employees working from home, field staff, and branches to their company headquarters, and for the networking of different locations. The product portfolio of BinTec is rounded off by a service and support concept. For further details please contact: Funkwerk AG Im Funkwerk 5 D-99625 Kölleda/Thüringen, Germany Katrin Schwarz Investor Relations phone: 0 36 35/6 00 -3 35 fax: 0 36 35/6 00 -3 99 schwarz@funkwerk.com rw konzept Agentur für Unternehmenskommunikation Ysenburgstraße 7 D-80634 Munich, Germany Sebastian Brunner phone: 0 89/13 95 96 -33 fax: 0 89/13 95 96 -34 mobile: 01 75/5 60 46 73 brunner@rw-konzept.de BinTec Access Networks GmbH Sabina Tandari Communications Manager phone: 0911/ 96 73-16 04 fax: 0911/ 96 73-16 99 presse@bintec.de Südwestpark 94 D-90449 Nuremberg, Germany http://www.bintec.de Kaltwasser Kommunikation Christine Rattel phone: 0911/ 530 630 fax: 0911/ 530 63 200 bintec@kaltwasser.de Prinzregentenufer 3 D-90489 Nuremberg, Germany http://www.kaltwasser.de end of message, (c)DGAP 22.05.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 575314; ISIN: DE0005753149; Index: NEMAX 50 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 220929 Mai 03