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Bergisch Gladbach, 7 January 2025

INDUS purchases company for the future field of infrastructure networks

- INDUS subsidiary HAUFF-TECHNIK buys KETTLER
- Specialist for spindle extensions for pipe systems
- Complementary addition strengthens the infrastructure segment

HAUFF-TECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of listed INDUS Holding AG, acquires all shares in KETTLER GmbH, Dorsten, with economic effect from 1 January 2025. The medium-sized manufacturer of components and spindle extensions for pipe systems has around 60 employees and generates annual sales of around EUR 9 million. The product portfolio includes spindle extensions and operating keys for actuating valves and hydrants above and below ground as well as in manholes. Wall duct and building entry systems are also part of the product range. KETTLER strengthens INDUS’ infrastructure segment as a complementary addition to its portfolio company HAUFF-TECHNIK, a manufacturer of sealing systems for cables, pipes and building entries.

“As a highly profitable provider in a niche market with the advanced technical expertise typical of INDUS, KETTLER is a great fit for our portfolio,” says Dr. Jörn Großmann, member of the INDUS Board of Management responsible for the Infrastructure segment. “The acquisition enhances our position in the future field of infrastructure networks. Given the urgent need to expand supply networks and regularly maintain and repair pipe systems, we see significant growth potential in this area.” According to the German Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), investments totalling EUR 3.4 billion are to be made in public water management and sewage systems each year, particularly in building new pipelines and the maintaining existing ones. At the beginning of 2024, INDUS had already strengthened its portfolio company HAUFF-TECHNIK by acquiring the remaining shares in the fiber optics specialist GRIDCOM.

With the acquisition of KETTLER, INDUS also takes over Kettler Utility Communication GmbH, which offers services in the field of underground pipe systems, especially the rehabilitation of defective spindle extensions. The spindle extensions are repaired with minimal intervention directly through the manhole cover.

Dr. Michael Seibold, Managing Director of HAUFF-TECHNIK: “KETTLER’s range of services ideally complements our product portfolio. Together, we can push ahead our growth strategy on the last mile also in the field of water and gas supply. A key aspect in this context is the technical exchange on the development of new products, which strengthens our innovative power.” Michael Buhla, Managing Partner of KETTLER prior to the acquisition, says: “When handing over KETTLER, we attached great importance to the long-term prospects. In addition to the technical fit, the cooperation with HAUFF-TECHNIK offers synergy effects in the sales area. Joint marketing will open up new sales opportunities to KETTLER, in particular on international markets.

“In 2024, we acquired two first-tier companies as well as two hidden champions as complementary additions to existing portfolio companies,” says Dr. Johannes Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of Management of the INDUS Group. “We will continue to pursue this approach of giving our portfolio strong stimulus for growth by strategically and operationally fitting add-on acquisitions in 2025. The start has already been made by acquiring KETTLER.”

Note:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of INDUS Holding AG and comprise known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. INDUS Holding AG assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

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.