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Bergisch Gladbach, 14 March 2024

AI specialist strengthens INDUS portfolio

- Technology company Gestalt Robotics expands Engineering segment
- Investment in the future field of AI-based industrial automation

SDAX-listed investment company INDUS Holding AG has acquired Gestalt Robotics. The Berlin-based company develops individual AI-based automation solutions for industrial applications. Its portfolio of solutions comprises image processing and control technology based on artificial intelligence. These include visual quality control and asset tracking systems, autonomous navigation of mobile transport systems, and adaptive and collaborative robotics and assistance systems. Assembly, mobility and laboratory automation are typical application areas. Founded in 2016, the company employs around 50 people and generates annual sales of around 5 million euros.

“By acquiring Gestalt Robotics, we are tapping into the growth potential of AI applications for industrial technology,” says Dr. Johannes Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of Management of the INDUS Group. “With its technological expertise, this young, innovative company will provide new impetus for the further development of the INDUS Group. The acquisition thus supports our strategic initiative ‘Driving innovation’, which, among other things, promotes the rapid implementation of AI solutions in our portfolio companies.”

Thomas Staufenbiel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Lambrecht, co-founders and Managing Directors of Gestalt Robotics, will continue to run the company. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Lambrecht: “With INDUS as a strong partner in the background, Gestalt Robotics now benefits from the necessary backing in a fast-moving market, while at the same time having the freedom to initiate new innovative projects and take advantage of growth opportunities.” With the ‘PARKOUR perform’ strategy update, INDUS has defined the future field of automation as a direction for further growth. “Gestalt Robotics’ focus on industrial automation complements our investment portfolio in the Engineering segment very well,” says Axel Meyer, Board member of INDUS Holding AG responsible for the Engineering segment. “Given the strong momentum in the automation sector, we will continue to make acquisitions in this area in the future.”

Axel Meyer

COO Engineering
Axel Meyer (German citizen, born 1968) has been a member of the INDUS Board of Management since October 2017.

Until joining INDUS, he held various management positions at Schuler AG, most recently as Managing Director of Schuler Pressen and Head of the Service Division of the Schuler Group, Goeppingen, Germany.

Previously, Axel Meyer worked as a member of the Board of Management of the international management consultancy IMAGIN Prof. Bochmann AG, Eppstein im Taunus, Germany. He started his professional career in the Schuler Group's Solid Forming Division, initially in global sales and later as Division Manager.

Axel Meyer studied industrial engineering in Germany and the USA and earned a Master of Mergers & Acquisitions (LL.M.) at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management while working. 

Gudrun Degenhart

COO Materials Solutions
Gudrun Degenhart (German citizen, born 1970) has been a member of the Board of Management of INDUS since October 2023.

She has more than 20 years of experience in the management and development of portfolio companies in Europe, USA and the Asia-Pacific regions.

Before joining INDUS, Gudrun Degenhart was CEO for the German portfolio companies of the international service group ISS. She previously worked for the thyssenkrupp Group, including as CEO of the international business unit for special lifts and as CEO of Materials Western Europe and Asia-Pacific. She gained experience in medium-sized companies as a board member of the construction technology company Schöck.

A graduate in business administration, she began her career by building up the Central and Eastern European activities of the construction specialist Lindner Group. 

Dr. Jörn Großmann

COO Infrastructure
Dr. Jörn Großmann (German citizen, born 1968) has been a member of the INDUS Board of Management since January 2019.

Up until joining INDUS, he worked for the Dutch group Aalberts Industries, with his last position being the sole managing director of Impreglon, Lüneburg, Germany.

He previously held various positions at the Georgsmarienhütte Group, initially becoming managing director of Mannstaedt, Troisdorf, Germany and later managing director of GMH Edelstahl Service Center Burg and GMH Engineering. Before Dr. Großmann became the managing director of Buderus Feinguss, Moers, Germany, he worked as a development engineer and as a technical director for Doncasters Precision Castings, Bochum, Germany.

He studied material sciences and earned a doctorate in the field of natural sciences.

Dr. -Ing. Johannes Schmidt

CEO
Dr. -Ing. Johannes Schmidt (German citizen, born 1961) has been a member of the Board of Management of INDUS since January 2006. He has assumed the position of CEO since July 2018.

Dr. -Ing. Schmidt was previously the sole managing director of ebm-papst Landshut, Germany, a manufacturer of ventilation motors and fans. During his tenure there, his main achievements included advancing the development of new product platforms and the internationalization of production sites.

Dr. -Ing. Schmidt began his career at Richard Bergner, a manufacturer of electrical instruments from Schwabach, Germany. He initially led product development before rising to the position of managing director during his 12 years at the company.

Schmidt, who studied mathematics, gained an engineering doctorate in mechanics from the Technical University of Darmstadt. 

Rudolf Weichert

CFO
Rudolf Weichert (German citizen, born 1963) is the CFO of INDUS.

Before joining the INDUS Board of Management in June 2012, he was a Partner at KPMG for nine years. He spent three of these years in Detroit, Michigan, United States, where he worked mainly with companies in the engineering, and materials trading industries.

Mr. Weichert, who holds a masters degree in business administration, worked for KPMG for about 20 years, primarily in the firm’s Duesseldorf office, where he worked mainly with multinational manufacturing corporations.