Corporate Governance

Governance Documents

INDUS has been a proponent of Mittelstand sector values and principles for more than three decades.

Pursuing Exemplary Business Management and Control

The values of transparency, fairness and reliability and of ethical conduct in accordance with legal requirements play a decisive role in this. The conduct of the management and supervisory bodies of INDUS Holding AG is governed by the principles of good and responsible corporate governance geared toward long-term success. Efficient and trusting cooperation are just as important as transparent internal and external communication and protecting the shareholders’ interests. The Board of Management and Supervisory Board have thus for years followed German Corporate Governance Code recommendations. This provides suggestions for good and responsible corporate governance based on accepted national and international standards.

The INDUS Holding AG Board of Management runs the company and manages its business activities. The Board determines the company’s strategic orientation, coordinates this with the Supervisory Board, and ensures its implementation. The Board of Management’s duties also include preparation of the quarterly, semi-annual, and annual financial statements of INDUS Holding AG and the INDUS Group. The Board of Management is comprised of five members. The Board’s members are Dr. Johannes Schmidt (CEO), Gudrun Degenhart, Dr. Jörn Großmann, Axel Meyer and Rudolf Weichert. The age limitation policy adopted by the Supervisory Board for members of the Board of Management, which provides for a termination of the mandate at the age of 67, is complied with. 

The Board of Management compensation system was reviewed in 2009 and presented by the Supervisory Board at the 2010 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. The revisions provide for a sustainability component as well. In accordance with legal requirements, the compensation system consists of three elements: fixed salary, short-term incentives and long-term incentives. Variable components comprise roughly 40% of compensation; components with a multi-year measurement base and short-term variable components are weighted accordingly. 

Further details can be found in the current compensation report

Compensation system 2025 (submitted for approval at the ASM on May 27, 2025) →

The compensation report describes the compensation of the members of the Board of Management of INDUS Holding Aktiengesellschaft (hereinafter referred to as INDUS or the company) and the compensation of the members of the Supervisory Board. This compensation report is a report in accordance with section 162 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) as amended by the Act Implementing the Share-holders’ Rights Directive (ARUG II). Furthermore, the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance  Code (GCGC)  and  the  requirements  of  the  German  Commercial  Code  (HGB)  are  followed. 

Compensation Reports 

The Supervisory Board of INDUS appoints the Board of Management, provides guidance regarding company management and monitors management activities. Information on the focal points of the Supervisory Board’s activities in the past year can be found in the Report of the Supervisory Board as part of the current Annual Report.

The Supervisory Board consists of twelve members. No member of the Supervisory Board has performed or performs board functions or advisory tasks at any of INDUS’ significant competitors. The recommendation of the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) is followed that no more than two former members of the Board of Management should be members of the Supervisory Board.

Supervisory Board compensation is governed by Section 16 of the Articles of Incorporation of INDUS, which can be found here. The following applies:

In addition to the reimbursement of their expenses, each Supervisory Board member receives basic remuneration of EUR 45,000.00 for their activities in the past financial year. The chairman receives twice the amount, the deputy chairman one and a half times the amount. Supervisory Board members who have not been members of the Supervisory Board for the entire financial year or who have not held the position of chairman or deputy chairman for the entire financial year are only entitled to the corresponding remuneration on a pro rata basis.

Each member of a Supervisory Board committee receives remuneration of EUR 7,500.00 in addition to the reimbursement of their expenses for their activities in the past financial year. The committee chairman receives twice the amount. Committee members who have not belonged to the committee or who have not chaired the committee for the entire financial year are only entitled to the corresponding remuneration on a pro rata basis. The aforementioned regulations do not apply to the committee pursuant to Section 27 (3) of the German Co-Determination Act (MitbestG).

In addition, each member of the Supervisory Board is granted an attendance fee of EUR 1,500.00 per meeting of the Supervisory Board or its committees. The same applies to telephone, video or internet conferences or conferences using comparable means of communication. The attendance fee is payable no more than once per meeting day.

The basic remuneration, committee remuneration and attendance fees are paid semi-annually in June and December of the respective financial year.

INDUS can take out D&O liability insurance for the Supervisory Board members in an appropriate amount to cover the statutory liability relating to Supervisory Board activities. INDUS pays the insurance premium.

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on May 22, 2024, approved the remuneration of the Supervisory Board members regulated in Section 16 of the INDUS Articles of Incorporation with 99.87% of the votes cast in accordance with Section 113 (3) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).

Further details can be found in the compensation report of the current Annual Report.

The rules of procedure for the Supervisory Board can be found here.

Since the beginning of 2005, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). As before, the separate financial statements of INDUS Holding AG are prepared in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB).  

The consolidated and separate financial statements for the 2023 financial year were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main. The corresponding statement of independence in accordance with Item 7.2.1 of the German Corporate Governance Code was obtained by the Supervisory Board. 

The election of the Group Auditor 2024 can be found here.

In compliance with industry standards and legal regulations, INDUS Holding AG has established a risk management system to identify potential risks and observe and assess these across all functional areas. As an integral part of business, planning, accounting and controlling processes, the risk management system is integrated into the INDUS Holding AG information and communications system, and is a key element in the management system. The structuring of the risk management system is the responsibility of the Board of Management, which ensures that risks are managed actively. The objective of the risk management system is to identify, take stock of, analyze, assess, manage and monitor risks systematically. The Board of Management regularly, and as required by events, examines and revises the company’s risk register. 

The fundamentals of the risk management system include the organizational integration of opportunity and risk processes into everyday operations, an adequate management structure, a coordinated planning system and detailed reporting and information systems. Accordingly, the risk management system involves the portfolio companies submitting reports on the status of and changes in material risks affecting the holding company. 

As a result, opportunities and risks are continuously reassessed by the INDUS Board of Management. Both company-specific and external events and developments are analyzed and evaluated in this process. Further details can be found in our Annual Report. 

Internal control and risk management system based on consolidated and separate financial statement data

The scope and form of INDUS Holding AG’s accounting-related internal control system (ICS) are at the discretion of and the responsibility of the Board of Management. The Supervisory Board monitors the accounting process and the effectiveness of the ICS. 

The Articles of incorporation, declaration on Corporate Governance and Code of Conduct of INDUS Holding AG reflect a business management governed by the principles of good and responsible corporate governance. Following the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board jointly submit the statement of compliance required per Sec. 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), made permanently available to shareholders via this website. 

Documents

Compliance is much more than following laws and rules, but this is at least the basis for it. A consolidated compliance culture can protect the company as well as stakeholders, preserve its good reputation and thus becomes an important quality feature.

Documents

Directors’ dealings in FY 2022

Notification dated June 30, 2022
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Jürgen Allerkamp
Function: Member of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: June 29, 2022
Price per share: EUR 23.1942
No. of items: 4.305
Total amount traded: EUR 99,851.00
Place: Quotrix

Notification dated June 30, 2022
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Jürgen Allerkamp
Function: Member of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: June 28, 2022
Price per share: EUR 23.20
No. of items: 195
Total amount traded: EUR 4,524.00
Place: Quotrix

Notification dated May 20, 2022
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Jürgen Abromeit
Function: Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: May 20, 2022
Price per share: EUR 27.1936
No. of items: 1,500
Total amount traded: EUR 40,790.45
Place: Xetra

Notification dated May 12, 2022
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Jürgen Abromeit
Function: Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: May 12, 2022
Price per share: EUR 27.4921
No. of items: 2,000
Total amount traded: EUR 54,984.25
Place: Xetra

Notification dated May 12, 2022
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Johannes Schmidt
Function: Chairman of the Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: May 12, 2022
Price per share: EUR 27.6464
No. of items: 3,000
Total amount traded: EUR 82,939.10
Place: Xetra

Directors’ dealings in FY 2020

Notification dated March 31, 2020
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Johannes Schmidt
Function: Chairman of the Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: March 30, 2020
Price per share: EUR 23.4387
No. of items: 3,200
Total amount traded: EUR 75,004.00
Place: Tradegate

Notification dated March 31, 2020
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Jürgen Abromeit
Function: Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: March 30, 2020
Price per share: EUR 23.1225
No. of items: 3,500
Total amount traded: EUR 80,928.85
Place: Xetra

Directors’ dealings in FY 2017

Notification dated July 5, 2017
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Jürgen Allerkamp
Function: Member of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Disposal
Date: July 4, 2017
Price per share: EUR 61.80
No. of items: 4,000
Total amount traded: EUR 247,200
Place: Hanover

Directors’ dealings in FY 2015

Notification dated August 26, 2015
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Rudolf Weichert
Function: Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: August 26, 2015
Price per share: EUR 40.50
No. of items: 5000
Total amount traded: EUR 20,251
Place: Quotrix

Notification dated August 26, 2015
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Johannes Schmidt
Function: Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: August 20, 2015
Price per share: EUR 43.92
No. of items: 500
Total amount traded: EUR 21,960
Place: Xetra

Notification dated August 26, 2015
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Jürgen Abromeit
Function: Chairman of the Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: August 19, 2015
Price per share: EUR 43.46
No. of items: 1,000
Total amount traded: EUR 43,461
Place: Frankfurt/Xetra

Directors’ dealings in FY 2013

Notification dated December 4, 2013
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Jürgen Abromeit
Function: Chairman of the Board of Management
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: December 4, 2013
Price per share: EUR 27.87
No. of items: 2,000
Total amount traded: EUR 55,740
Place: Frankfurt/Xetra

Directors’ dealings in FY 2012

Notification dated October 2, 2012
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: Dr. Jürgen Allerkamp
Function: Member of the Supervisory Board
Financial instrument: Share of INDUS Holding AG
ISIN: DE0006200108
Type of transaction: Purchase
Date: September 26, 2012
Price per share: EUR 18.77
No. of items: 4,000
Total amount traded: EUR 75,074
Place: OTC

Sustainable commerce provides the basis for positive future prospects for the environment, society and the economy, as well as each individual employee or business partner of INDUS (the group parent company).

The cornerstones of the culture of INDUS are the distribution of the key requirements and their independent implementation and management in the subsidiary companies, as well as a shared understanding of values and the minimisation of risks for a sustainable corporate development.

The “SpeakUp” reporting system creates additional trust and security on the basis of a clearly defined structure for the reporting and the escalation process which is accessible to everyone, thereby ensuring the sustainable success of the group and averting damage.

Public channels are also available. In Germany, the legislator generally provides for the priority of an internal report.

Here you will find the privacy information for whistleblowers and parties involved.

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.