3U creates the basis for groundbreaking artificial intelligence cluster in Würzburg

  • Acquisition of a plot of land at the University of Würzburg
  • Project under scientific supervision by Prof. Dr. Axel Winkelmann
  • 3U underlines cooperation with the University of Würzburg on Artificial Intelligence and further expands joint activities

Marburg and Würzburg, Germany, 7 October 2019 – InnoHubs GmbH, a joint venture of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) and WüWi Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, has acquired an approximately 5,700 sqm site at the heart of the Skyline Hill commercial park in Würzburg, directly adjacent to the university. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed today. InnoHubs GmbH intends to construct an innovation and office property on this site. The building complex with an area of up to 14,000 sqm will offer opportunities for the further development of future-oriented technologies to large and small companies as well as research institutions and mixed working groups from universities and industry in close connection with research. The focus will be on the development of innovations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Construction planning for this “innovation hub” has already begun. The project will be scientifically supported by Prof. Dr. Axel Winkelmann, who is intensively committed to cooperation between industry and science.

The Chair of Business Administration and Information Systems under his leadership operates its own research and teaching laboratory for enterprise software, in particular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and has developed it into Germany’s largest ERP laboratory. The 3U subsidiary weclapp has been participating in this initiative since 2016 – among other things by working on joint research projects.

Prof. Winkelmann explains: “Current technologies are developing rapidly in global research. The InnoHubs project is intended to support companies in establishing a close connection to our renowned university with its research groups and students in terms of both content and location. In this way, it guarantees the necessary knowledge advantage for its own future products and technologies. Last year, the State of Bavaria decided to invest in a new research centre with a focus on AI in Würzburg, which will be completed by additional professorships and junior research groups. The Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg can look back on 14 Nobel Prize winners and, according to the Nature Index 2019, is one of Germany’s top four universities in the natural and life sciences. Reuters even ranks the university among the top 10% of the most innovative universities in Europe”.

At weclapp, 3U is pursuing an ambitious program to establish a team of specialists for the development of AI algorithms at several research sites worldwide. The future research unit in Würzburg, in close cooperation with the University of Würzburg, will play an important role.

“With this step we are combining two essential parts of our business and our strategy,” explains Michael Schmidt, CEO of 3U HOLDING AG. “On the one hand, 3U HOLDING continues its success story in managing its assets by developing this innovation and office property. On the other hand, we are increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence in the area of research and development. This will enable us to further consolidate and expand the technologically leading position of our ERP platform weclapp, but also of other 3U business models such as e-commerce. And the even closer cooperation with the University of Würzburg in the new InnoHubs will open up additional opportunities for us in this way.”

Supplementary information:
In June 2018, the State of Bavaria decided by cabinet resolution that the University of Würzburg would become the central location for artificial intelligence research. Accordingly, the university is to receive six new chairs, each linked to six already existing chairs of the faculties, which will conduct joint research on AI topics. In addition, financial resources will be made available for four junior research groups. Four additional professorships for AI and robotics will also be created at the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences in close proximity to another four existing research professorships.
In this context, Würzburg is planning a new district for 5,000-8,000 people and an additional university campus on 39 hectares in Hubland, which is currently being developed as a science location. The planning includes residential buildings, a park, kindergartens, schools, universities, dormitories and other infrastructure facilities. In the immediate vicinity, the city is currently marketing the “Skyline Hill” area with 61,000 square meters, preferably for use by IT companies.

 

Further information:
Dr. Joachim Fleïng
Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 6421 999-1200
Fax.: +49 6421 999-1222
E-Mail: ir@3u.net

About InnoHubs GmbH:
The company was founded in 2019 for the purpose of conducting real estate business, in particular the development, construction, management and leasing of a property in Würzburg. 3U HOLDING AG holds 75% and WüWi Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH 25% of InnoHubs GmbH.

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology), Renewable Energies and SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U subsidiary Selfio is one of Germany’s best online shops for the third time in a row

  • Consumers awarded Selfio first place in five out of six categories in the Construction and Do-It-Yourself segment (excluding store network)

Marburg, 1 October 2019 – Selfio GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN: DE0005167902), received the award “Germany’s Best Online Shop 2019” in the construction and DIY segment (excluding store network) for the third time in a row. The consumer survey was carried out by the DISQ – Deutsches Institut für Service-Qualität, a private company, on behalf of the news channel n-tv. The survey examined customer satisfaction with the online shops in six categories. Selfio achieved higher scores than the other competitors in the segment, in particular for its very good price-performance ratio and Internet presence. The SHAC online retailer from the 3U Group also achieved a top rating in this segment in terms of product range, customer service and ordering conditions.

Since its launch in 2011, the 3U subsidiary has more than tenfold increased its sales of sanitary, heating and air-conditioning systems and components from EUR 1.5 million to EUR 17.4 million in the 2018 financial year, giving it a strong position among the specialist suppliers in its sector segment; further growth is planned and foreseeable. In addition to the further expansion of its successful online marketing and online consulting services, the growth drivers include the ongoing expansion of its range to include attractive products and services, closer cooperation with renowned suppliers and the targeted use of private labels. The goal remains to join the ranks of the 100 strongest German online retailers in terms of sales and thus further increase profitability.

“We are proud that our commitment to our customers is being honoured in this way,” says Dominik Schmucki, Managing Director of Selfio GmbH, pleased with the renewed award. “The customer stands with us in the highest place, we provide a comprehensive planning and consulting offering – and our products are on offer at absolutely fair prices. Particularly in view of the generally good rating of the online shops in the DISQ customer survey, it is a special distinction that Selfio was able to assert itself at this high level and convince customers,” adds Dominik Schmucki. “We are continuing to work on maintaining and extending this lead.

Further information on the award can be found at: https://disq.de/online-shop-preis.html. You can find the n-tv feature here: https://bit.ly/2mDxUiX

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology), Renewable Energies and SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG: More than 60 participants at sales partner meeting of the 3U subsidiary weclapp

  • Partner sales of the award-winning ERP platform from the cloud increasingly gaining momentum

Marburg, 24 September 2019 – weclapp SE, a subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN: DE0005167902), had invited its sales partners to an information event in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on 23 September 2019. Ertan Özdil, CEO of weclapp SE, gave an outlook on the future product, marketing and sales strategy. At the same time, the event also served to exchange and evaluate the experience gained since the start of the cooperation in March 2019. At the kick-off meeting, there were about 30 responsible persons from newly acquired partner companies, but this “1st weclapp Partners’ Day” brought together more than 60 representatives from IT system houses, IT consulting firms and IT service providers. Most of them already use weclapp in-house and now suggest weclapp to their customers as a cloud-based ERP platform and support them in implementation and operation. With more than 15%, IT service providers represent one of the larger customer groups of the weclapp ERP system.

Matthias Grdan, founder and managing director of Mate IT, Villingen-Schwenningen, has been using weclapp in his own company since 2016. For him, one thing is certain: “One of the great advantages of weclapp is the simple operation of a comprehensive and powerful ERP system. For our customers, regardless of whether they are active in e-bikes or thermal power stations or open a special workshop as a start-up company, it is clear that weclapp is the system of choice.” And Nils Kathagen from Systemhaus Ruhrgebiet, Witten, adds: “The presentations and Ertan Özdil’s vision were very motivating. Several of our customers are already testing weclapp now, but from the fourth quarter we will be increasingly addressing companies about weclapp and expect additional growth potential for our company.

“We will increasingly press ahead with market penetration in Germany. As expected, cooperation with our sales partners is now proving to be the right second sales channel in addition to the continued success of online marketing,” says Ertan Özdil, who is pleased to report that “with weclapp, our sales partners are offering a technologically advanced product at a reasonable price, and together we have noticed that medium-sized companies are increasingly taking advantage of this offer. We will increasingly use both sales models internationally in the future”.

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ITC), Renewable Energies (RE) and Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology (SHAC). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG – Flashlight: What makes weclapp unique

weclapp CEO Ertan Oezdil gives a quick insight into what makes the weclapp platform unique and shares his thoughts regarding some priorities on the way ahead.

Watch interview on YouTube

3U HOLDING AG – Flashlight: Success in Megatrends

Confirming progress as expected in the pursuit of the 3U Group strategy, Joachim Fleing, Head of IR, gives a brief outlook on this week’s Baader Investment Conference in Munich.

Watch interview on YouTube

Selfio complements its online offering with own brand products

  • High-quality products in contract manufacturing from the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning technology sector contribute to margin improvement

Marburg, 19 September 2019 – Selfio GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN: DE0005167902), is now also selling its own brands in its online business with sanitary, heating and air-conditioning systems. The initial focus is on products in high demand, such as pump groups for heating systems and decentralised and central ventilation systems. The range of products on offer is continually being expanded, and further products are already being planned. For the production Selfio employs certified contract manufacturers from Germany and the European union, which have broad experience with such technologies. Selling products under own brand offers the possibility to the customers of acquiring high quality at favourable prices. At the same time, this product strategy opens up further earnings potential in Selfio’s e-commerce business.

“The positive demand trend in our online business continues. The expansion of the product and service range is a central component of our growth strategy,” emphasizes Dominik Schmucki, Managing Director of Selfio GmbH. “We offer our customers a comprehensive and ever more attractive offer. This increases their satisfaction and motivates them to come back and recommend us. With the introduction of our own brands, we achieve advantages for all parties involved and thus sustainably extend our competitive edge.”

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ITC), Renewable Energies (RE) and Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology (SHAC). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG: cloud computing subsidiary weclapp presents new brand presence

  • New brand identity reflects successful growth course
  • Fresh, lively, international: cloud-based ERP platform sets the pace for companies

Marburg, 29 August 2019 – weclapp, a subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902), has been known as weclapp SE since its recent merger into a Societas Europaea and has its new registered office in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. These changes reflect the successful growth of the rapidly expanding provider of cloud-based ERP solutions. For the ongoing internationalization, weclapp is redesigning its brand presence: logo, fonts, internet and social media presence shine in an even fresher and more lively new corporate design with a harmonious language of colours and forms. Just like the facelift of the user interfaces in the system, it is an expression of an agile, young new economy spirit and underlines the claim to offer the “digital natives” an adequate, unique user experience.

The company and product name is increasingly becoming a program: the cloud-based ERP platform was developed for people and teams and for smooth collaboration even across company boundaries. It is already a welcome pacemaker for many medium-sized companies who can manage their business transactions (control of resources, customer relationships, projects, orders and accounts) efficiently and from a single source with weclapp. The brand signals teamwork and is at the same time a stimulus for high customer satisfaction and for the application for further awards such as the “ERP system of the year”. The Center for Enterprise Research at the University of Potsdam last awarded weclapp this coveted title three years in a row. The high Net Promoter Score (readiness to recommend by customers) and the growing interest among new sales partners also document this: weclapp seems to earn the applause of customers.

Since the market launch of the ERP platform weclapp six years ago, the weclapp enterprise has achieved average annual sales growth of more than 50 percent and has become highly profitable, with an EBITDA margin of 30 percent in fiscal year 2018. The platform is mature, but weclapp lives and develops rapidly into an ever more comprehensive system thanks to the international community. Right from the start, it has been developed to be international: right now the users of weclapp are already located in 35 countries. The currently more than 2,500 active corporate customers come predominantly from Germany and neighbouring countries. They partly use weclapp in their international company networks. The next growth phase will involve a consistent expansion of the international clientele, including the acquisition of increasingly larger corporate customers.

https://www.weclapp.com

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ITC), Renewable Energies (RE) and Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology (SHAC). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U continues revenue growth

  • Cloud computing and online trading as growth drivers
  • Further improvement in operating profitability
  • Debt further reduced, equity ratio 54.48 %
  • Forecast for the 2019 financial year significantly raised following the sale of a property

Marburg, 14 August 2019 – As expected, 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) significantly increased its consolidated revenue in the first half of 2019. It grew by 11.47% to EUR 25.46 million (H1 2018: EUR 22.84 million). In the second quarter of 2019, however, with a plus of 3.38 % the high growth rate of the first quarter was not achieved. As expected, this was due not only to weaker wind yield but also to a further decline in revenue in the telephony business with private subscribers. The main growth drivers in the first six months were again the Cloud Computing and Online Trading divisions, which increased their respective revenues before consolidation by 54.24% and 29.51% respectively.

Other income of EUR 1.07 million was generated in the first half of 2019. The higher other income in the first half of 2018 included income of EUR 2.20 million from the sale of the data center property in Hanover. The lower income from the sale of assets influenced the overall earnings situation. Operating margins – adjusted for income from the sale of properties – continued to improve slightly at Group level.

The cost of materials increased by 5.6% compared with the same period of the previous year. The cost of materials ratio (cost of materials as a percentage of revenue) fell from 58.3 % in the first half of 2018 to 55.2 % in the first six months of 2019. Personnel expenses rose by 11.6% to EUR 5.56 million (H1 2018: EUR 4.99 million), in particular due to the further increase in cloud computing personnel. The personnel expense ratio (personnel expenses as a percentage of revenue) remained constant at 21.8% in the first half of the year (H1 2018: 21.8%), but increased in the second quarter to 23.2%. At 14.6 %, the share of other operating expenses in revenue was also at the previous year’s level (H1 2018: 14.4 %).

In the first six months of the 2019 financial year, the Group generated EBITDA of EUR 3.47 million (H1 2018: EUR 4.42 million). The fact that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were lower than in the first half of 2018 is mainly due to the lower other income in the 2019 reporting period.

As a result, the second quarter of 2019 saw a slightly negative consolidated result of EUR – 0.03 million (Q2 2018: positive consolidated result of EUR 1.80 million). For the first six months of 2019, the Group generated a net profit of EUR 0.46 million (H1 2018: EUR 2.16 million).

Segment results

As expected, the ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology) segment recorded a 9.2% decline in revenues from EUR 7.58 million to EUR 6.88 million. On the other hand, the other business areas recorded a positive development. The share of cloud-based solutions in segment revenue rose to more than 30% for the first time. The decline in revenue was offset by a significant improvement in margins. The EBITDA margin rose from 11.4 % in the first six months of fiscal 2018 to 20.4 %, corresponding to a segment EBITDA of EUR 1.40 million in the first half of 2019 (H1 2018: EUR 0.86 million).

In addition to the increasing share of the high-margin cloud computing business, the stabilisation and improvement of profitability in the telephony segment is responsible for the pleasing earnings development.

After the strong wind yield in the first quarter of 2019, income from wind farms was significantly lower in the second quarter but remained at a good level. Segment revenue in the renewable energies segment rose by 26.3 % from EUR 3.24 million in the first half of 2018 to EUR 4.09 million in the reporting period. Segment EBITDA also improved from EUR 2.62 million in the prior-year period to EUR 3.26 million in the first half of 2019.

The SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology) segment (H1 2018: EUR 11.77 million) also achieved strong revenue growth of 23.8% to EUR 14.57 million. The increase is mainly attributable to the strategically important online trading segment. EBITDA deteriorated from EUR 0.05 million in the previous year to EUR – 0.10 million in the first half of 2019. While the online trading business operated by the Group company Selfio more than doubled EBITDA from a low level, expenses for the expansion and optimisation of the supply chain are currently having a negative impact on segment EBITDA. The measures introduced could lead to an improvement in margins in this segment in the future as planned.

Financial Resources and equity at a good level

Cash flow from operating activities developed positively and reached EUR 2.02 million (H1 2018: cash inflow of EUR 1.24 million). At EUR 0.77 million, the cash inflow from investing activities in the first half of 2019 was significantly lower than in the first six months of 2018 (EUR 8.55 million), which was characterised by the sale of properties in Hanover and the outflow of liquidity in connection with the acquisition of the Klostermoor wind farm. Cash flow from financing activities was negative at EUR – 3.12 million (H1 2018: EUR – 6.41 million). This was mainly due to payments for the repayment of loans (EUR – 1.75 million) and leasing liabilities (EUR – 0.34 million) as well as for the distribution of dividends to the shareholders of 3U HOLDING AG. The available financial resources declined slightly to EUR 8.06 million (01.01.2019: EUR 8.38 million), but remain at a good level.

Total assets increased to EUR 75.28 million as of June 30, 2019 (December 31, 2018: EUR 74.49 million). The balance sheet extension is mainly attributable to the first-time application of the new accounting standard IFRS 16 (Leasing). Capitalised rights of use amounting to EUR 3.24 million are offset by leasing liabilities amounting to EUR 3.22 million. As a result of business operations, inventories increased to EUR 7.90 million (31.12.2018: EUR 6.99 million). Current loan repayments led to a 7.52% decline in non-current and current financial liabilities to EUR 21.45 million (31.12.2018: EUR 23.19 million). Net debt (financial liabilities minus cash and cash equivalents) was reduced by 13.1 % to EUR 9.47 million (31.12.2018: EUR 10.89 million). Equity reached EUR 41.01 million (31.12.2018: EUR 41.44 million). In essence, the equity ratio fell slightly to 54.48 % (31.12.2018: 55.63 %) due to the balance sheet extension.

Forecast for 2019 significantly raised

Against the backdrop of the sale of the Marburg site, the Management Board has raised the forecast for the 2019 financial year issued at the end of February as follows. The sale of the property will result in a profit contribution before tax of around EUR 5 million and, after the repayment of existing loan obligations, a net inflow of funds of around EUR 9.7 million. The income means that the guidance for the 3U HOLDING AG Group given at the end of February will probably be significantly exceeded. Contrary to the proceeds from the sale of the site, there will be one-off write-downs, and the tax result is expected to deteriorate. The sale of a wind farm included in the previous forecast will also be suspended for the time being and will probably not be realised in the current financial year.

The Management Board therefore continues to expect consolidated revenue of EUR 51 million to EUR 55 million for the 2019 financial year. For EBITDA, it anticipates earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of between EUR 10 million and EUR 12 million (previous forecast for FY2019: EBITDA between EUR 7 million and EUR 9 million; actual 2018: EUR 6.7 million). This will result in a consolidated net income of between EUR 4 million and EUR 5 million (previous forecast for FY2019: consolidated net income between EUR 1 million and EUR 2 million; actual 2018: EUR 1.9 million).

3U HOLDING AG regards the transaction as a contribution to the pursuit of its growth strategy and the associated financing concepts. The proceeds are intended to be used for possible acquisitions in the cloud computing environment and could thus support the preparation of a possible IPO of the subsidiary weclapp SE.

In the renewable energies segment, the postponement of the originally planned sale of a wind farm will result in the announced significant revenue, EBITDA and earnings growth being weaker there. The forecast for the two other segments ITC and SHAC remains unchanged from the statements made in the annual report for the 2018 financial year.

“In many areas we made progress in the second quarter of 2019 and since then on our course of profitable growth,” emphasises Michael Schmidt, CEO of 3U HOLDING AG. “True to our growth strategy of focussing increasingly on the growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, we are opening up financing options and giving the Group a new profile step by step”.

Half-Year Financial Report

The half-year financial report for the first six months of the 2019 financial year will be published today, 14 August 2019. It can be downloaded from the Company’s website (www.3u.net) under “Investor Relations/Reports“.

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ITC), Renewable Energies (RE) and Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology (SHAC). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG expands financial scope by selling a company site in Marburg, Germany

  • Significant profit and net cash inflow
  • Earnings forecast for 2019 likely to be significantly exceeded
  • Company headquarters to remain at site for up to five years

Marburg, 13 August 2019 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN: DE0005167902) is selling its Marburg site, generating a profit of approximately EUR 5 million and, after the repayment of existing loan obligations, a net cash inflow of EUR 9.7 million. A corresponding purchase agreement was concluded by the parties today.

The extraordinary income means that the earnings forecast for the 3U HOLDING AG Group given at the end of February will probably be significantly exceeded. Contrary to the proceeds from the sale of the site, there will be one-off write-downs, and the tax result is expected to deteriorate. The sale of a wind farm included in the forecast will also be suspended for the time being and will probably not be realised in the current financial year.

Against this backdrop, the Executive Board corrects the forecast for the 2019 financial year issued at the end of February as follows: It continues to expect consolidated revenue of EUR 51 million to EUR 55 million. For EBITDA, it anticipates earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of between EUR 10 million and EUR 12 million (previous forecast for FY2019: EBITDA between EUR 7 million and EUR 9 million; actual 2018: EUR 6.7 million). This will result in a consolidated net income of between EUR 4 million and EUR 5 million (previous forecast for FY2019: consolidated net income between EUR 1 million and EUR 2 million; actual 2018: EUR 1.9 million).

3U HOLDING AG regards the transaction as a contribution to the pursuit of its growth strategy and the associated financing concepts. The proceeds are intended to be used for possible acquisitions in the cloud computing environment and could thus support the preparation of a possible IPO of the subsidiary weclapp SE.

As part of the purchase agreement, it is agreed that 3U HOLDING AG will be able to use the company headquarters currently in use for a further period of up to five years by way of a rental agreement. It is planned to move to a suitable location in the region in due course.

3U HOLDING AG: Merger into weclapp SE entered in commercial register

  • Merger of subsidiary weclapp GmbH into Societas Europaea (SE) completed
  • Share capital of weclapp SE increased by EUR 70.0 million in the course of the merger
  • Option to float weclapp SE on the stock exchange under further intensive review

Marburg, 6 August 2019 – The Local Court of Frankfurt am Main has entered the merger of weclapp GmbH into an SE in the commercial register. In the course of the merger, the share capital of the SE was increased by EUR 70.0 million. With the entry of the merger of the subsidiary weclapp GmbH of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) into a Societas Europaea (SE) in the commercial register, the assets of weclapp GmbH as a whole are transferred to the SE. As previously in weclapp GmbH, 3U HOLDING AG holds around 75 % of the shares in weclapp SE. The company is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.

The merger that has now been completed and the choice of corporate structure are related to the growth strategy of 3U HOLDING AG. Among other things, an IPO of weclapp as an option for financing the further, also international, expansion of this rapidly growing provider of cloud-based business software is currently being examined intensively. This project and any measures required to implement it depend on the capital market environment. The Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG, therefore, has not yet made a decision on the IPO. If the intention of an IPO becomes more concrete, the Management Board will communicate this immediately.

 

Further information:
Dr Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0) 6421 999-1222
E-mail: ir@3u.net

About 3U:
3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany, and was founded in 1997. It is the operating management and investment holding company at the head of the 3U Group. It acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ITC), Renewable Energies (RE) and Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology (SHAC). The 3U Group has successful and profitable business models based on megatrends in all three segments. It continues to expand its business activities dynamically, particularly in its strongest growth areas of cloud computing and online trading, in which it is striving to achieve leading positions in the market. 3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).