Wienerberger acquires hollow brick plants from Trost in Germany
Wien (ots)
- Acquisition of hollow brick activities from Trost in southwest
Germany
- Purchase price: ¤ 27 million for 220 million brick units of
capacity
- Perfect geographical addition to existing hollow brick
activities and strengthening of market position in GermanyApproval by cartel authorities
Wienerberger AG (Vienna Stock Exchange: WIE, Reuters: WBSV.VI, Bloomberg: WIE AV) has acquired the hollow brick activities of the Trost Group in Germany retroactively as of February 1, 2004. The responsible cartel authorities have already approved the transaction.
Perfect geographical addition
The Trost hollow brick business includes two modern plants in Malsch (Baden-Württemberg) and Ansbach (northern Bavaria) with total capacity of 220 million brick units. In 2003 the company recorded revenues of ¤ 25 million with 120 employees. Trost is the second largest brick producer in southwest Germany after Wienerberger, and adjusted capacity in 2002 to meet market conditions. For Wienerberger this acquisition represents a perfect geographical addition in a region with a below average presence to-date as well as an opportunity to utilize major synergies in the administrative and sales areas. The debt-free purchase price for the plants and inventories, which were acquired in the form of an asset deal, totals approximately ¤ 27 million. Synergies through integration
The integration of Trost into the existing Wienerberger organization will further improve earning power in Germany. This acquisition fits perfectly into our strategy to pursue smaller bolt-on growth projects, and thereby continuously improve our market position.
Contact:
Thomas Melzer, Public and Investor Relations
Phone +43/60192-463
investor@wienerberger.com