3U boosts marketing for online trading

  • Selfio GmbH acquires a building for shooting how-to videos
  • “Do it yourself but do it right!” success factor
  • Further strong growth; target: Top 100

Marburg, 24 July 2019 – E-commerce company Selfio GmbH (www.selfio.de), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902), is rigorously pursuing the aim of moving up into the ranks of the 100 German online shops with the highest sales and is boosting its marketing efforts. Selfio positions itself as a friendly partner and helper under the motto “Do it yourself but do it right!”. Anyone can install building systems themselves – this is largely the approach used to drive forward customer acquisition and retention.

Selfio has acquired the shell construction of a detached house in the town of Neuwied to enable it to demonstrate and prove this in a practical way, too. Under the motto “Selfio builds a house”, it will serve primarily as the setting for shooting further how-to videos and provide the scenery for commercial photo shoots aiming to demonstrate how interior construction and installation works out well with the support of Selfio.

The comprehensive how-to material, which is used extensively by customers of the online shop, already represents a unique selling point for Selfio’s online trading. Selfio also streams its varied programme of helpful videos on its own YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/SELFIOTV), which is not only visited regularly by DIY enthusiasts and self builders but also serves as a means of making contact with suppliers and customers, initiating new business and fostering cooperation.

Selfio made a significant contribution to the success of 3U’s SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology) segment in 2018 and is also planning double-digit growth for 2019. At the same time, logistics, warehouse and other business processes are currently being optimised and extended with the aim of managing the steadily increasing volume of business efficiently and expanding it further. Implementing these measures will simultaneously bring about a sustainable improvement in the operating margin.

“We are taking innovative and creative measures to strengthen our position in this contested market further,” emphasised Michael Schmidt, Speaker of the 3U Management Board. “We have our goal firmly in sight thanks to high organic growth rates: we intend to move Selfio up onto the list of the 100 German online shops with the highest sales. In the course of 2019, we will continue to expand our range of products and services in the online trade with new, promising offers, conclude cooperation agreements with new partners and suppliers and further strengthen our very successful online marketing.”

 

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).

weclapp penetrates new customer segments

  • 3U subsidiary for cloud computing completes eleven trade fair appearances in the first half of the year
  • Increasingly larger companies are using the award-winning, technologically outstanding cloud-based ERP platform

Marburg, 15 July 2019 – weclapp GmbH, a subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) and technologically outstanding provider of cloud-based enterprise software (Software as a Service (SaaS)), is consistently continuing its growth course and expanding its portfolio of sales channels to include trade fair appearances. In the first half of 2019, it was represented with its own stand at a total of eleven regional, national and internationally renowned trade fairs. From the large number of contacts and enquiries made there, a whole series of new customers have already been contractually bound and talks are underway with other companies. In addition, the trade fair presence contributes to increasing brand awareness among potential customers, but also among potential additional sales partners.

weclapp continues its successful online marketing without interruption. The now increasingly forced use of further marketing and sales instruments serves an additional strategic purpose: On the way to a leading position in the market for cloud-based business software for small- and medium-sized businesses, weclapp continuously increases the share of larger companies in the customer base. As the number of users per customer grows, so does the average revenue per customer, which contributes significantly to the acceleration of overall revenue growth. This key figure, Average Revenue per Account (ARPA), rose by 26% in the first half of 2019 compared to the previous year.

“The pleasing response to our trade fair participations shows that we are increasingly succeeding in convincing even larger potential customers of weclapps’ competitive advantages,” explains Ertan Özdil, Managing Director of weclapp GmbH. “weclapp distinguishes itself on the market for cloud ERP systems through a state-of-the-art user interface; usable on smartphones and tablets, wherever a browser is available. The platform technology enables easy transaction and collaboration between weclapp users, and our growing community contributes every day with its own additions to further expand the functionality. Our market success confirms that we are in an excellent technical position and have the best prospects to take advantage of the forthcoming consolidation among providers of enterprise software”.

3U HOLDING AG receives draft valuation report for subsidiary weclapp GmbH

  • The enterprise value of weclapp GmbH is estimated at EUR 70.3 million in the draft valuation report

Marburg, 24 June 2019 – As already publicly known, 3U HOLDING AG is examining financing options for its subsidiary weclapp GmbH (74.9998 % stake), including a possible IPO. As part of the merger of weclapp GmbH into a Societas Europaea (SE), the responsible registry court has commissioned an auditor to prepare a valuation report.

The Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG today received an advanced draft of the valuation report, according to which the enterprise value is estimated at EUR 70.3 million. The Management Board does not expect the established enterprise value to change significantly in the final version of the valuation.

As a matter of precaution, it is pointed out that in the event of an IPO of weclapp SE, the stock market value will depend on a number of factors and may be both below or above the value determined by the expert opinion for weclapp GmbH. The same applies to other financing options with regard to weclapp SE.

 

Publishing Person:
Dr. Joachim Fleïng
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 6421 999-1222
E-Mail: ir@3u.net

Issuer:
3U HOLDING AGFrauenbergstr. 31-3335039 MarburgGermany
LEI: 529900VVQ4470YJ67K26
Registered: Marburg District Court HRB 4680
ISIN DE0005167902
MTF:
XETRA
Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg/Hannover, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

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 Data Centre Services Welcome Renowned New Customer

  • 3U supports CBXNET with data centre services

Marburg, 20 May 2019 – CBXNET combox internet GmbH (https://www.cbxnet.de) is placing its servers with 3U TELECOM GmbH (http://www.3utelecom.de/rechenzentrum/), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN: DE0005167902). The independent IT service provider and Internet Service Provider (ISP) for companies and public institutions has initially secured space in the 3U data centre in Berlin for the next five years. This serves the technical safeguarding of the further growth of its globally usable Internet services, innovative network and cloud solutions. Depending on requirements, CBXNET can expand the area actually used by a factor of two and a half over time.

In its Data Center Services (DCS) business area, 3U offers medium-sized customers with multi-level or scalable security and availability requirements a reliable 24-hour all-round service for the trouble-free operation of the ICT infrastructure. In the ISO-27001 certified data centers in Berlin and Hanover, individual racks, separate rooms as well as fully managed cloud services can be rented.

Stephan Höhn, Managing Director of CBXNET combox internet GmbH, explains: “We were looking for a service provider that would meet our high service requirements in a customer-oriented manner and at the same time enable us to make flexible, growth-oriented use. At 3U, we found what we were looking for. Above all, we are very satisfied that the move was completed just-in-time thanks to competent planning by the 3U team and despite tight deadlines.”

“As a medium-sized company with many years of experience in various technology areas, we know our customers’ requirements very well. Hence, our products and services are particularly optimized for ISPs and cloud service providers such as CBXNET,” emphasizes Uwe Knoke, Managing Director of 3U TELECOM GmbH. “We are proud that we were able to present this renowned provider with a flexible, highly professional solution and that we have now agreed on a long-term cooperation with them”.

 

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

About CBXNET:
CBXNET (https://www.cbxnet.de/) emerged from the COM.BOX group of companies founded in Berlin in 1985. With the increasing importance of the Internet, CBXNET has become an independent company that provides sustainable business solutions for corporate customers as an IT service provider and Internet service provider.

With innovative network solutions in the greater Berlin area and Internet services that can be used worldwide, continuous growth has been achieved for years. With the expansion of cloud services for enterprise applications, target group-oriented service products are being developed for the requirements of German SMEs.

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 prepares merger of its subsidiary weclapp GmbH into an SE

  • Further intensive examination of subsidiary’s IPO option
  • 3U Holding AG has resolved to merge the subsidiary weclapp GmbH into a Societas Europaea (SE), and an auditor for the valuation of the company has been appointed by the court

Marburg, 18 May 2019 – The Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE 00051679002) would like to inform shareholders about the growth strategy of the subsidiary weclapp GmbH in the run-up to the Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2019:

As has been publicly known for some time, 3U HOLDING AG is continuously analyzing various additional financing options with a view to the growth strategy. An initial public offering as an option to finance the further, also international expansion of the rapidly growing provider of cloud-based business software, weclapp GmbH, 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 has not yet made a decision on the IPO. If the intention of an IPO becomes concrete, the Management Board will communicate this immediately.

In order to expand the financing possibilities of weclapp GmbH and to be able to act at any time with regard to an IPO, the Management Board is preparing a merger of weclapp GmbH into a Societas Europaea (SE). On March 15, 2019, a merger agreement between weclapp GmbH and an SE, which will operate under the name weclapp SE in the future, was notarized. Upon entry of the merger in the commercial register, the assets of weclapp GmbH as a whole will be transferred to the SE. The amount of 3U HOLDING AG’s shareholding in the SE corresponds to the current shareholding of 3U HOLDING AG in weclapp GmbH.

The competent court has commissioned an auditor to prepare an expert opinion in connection with the merger. The Executive Board considers a valuation of weclapp GmbH of up to EUR 75 million, based on demanding assumptions for customer and sales growth, conceivable, but is currently unable to make a reliable statement as to whether such a valuation of weclapp GmbH is realisable. In particular, it is currently not foreseeable what value the court-appointed auditor will base the expert opinion on for the merger. As soon as the valuation report of the court-appointed auditor is available, the Management Board will disclose the valuation result without delay.

 

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

3U achieves significant revenue and earnings growth in the first quarter of 2019

  • Growth drivers cloud computing and online trading; renewable energies benefit from favourable weather conditions
  • EBITDA increases in all three segments
  • Debt further reduced, equity ratio 53.85 %
  • Forecast for fiscal year 2019 confirmed

Marburg, 15 May 2019 – As expected, 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) significantly increased its consolidated revenue in the first quarter of 2019. It reached EUR 13.12 million, 20.26% more than in the same quarter of the previous year (Q1/2018: EUR 10.91 million). Cloud computing and online trading were again the main growth drivers. Favourable weather conditions led to a noticeable increase in revenue in the renewable energies segment. Wind and solar energy also made a pleasing contribution to the Group’s EBITDA. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased disproportionately by 43.06% to EUR 2.06 million (Q1/2018: EUR 1.44 million). Consolidated net income rose by 36.11 % to EUR 0.49 million (Q1/2019: EUR 0.36 million).

Segment results

As expected, the ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology) segment recorded a slight decline in revenue of 7.56 % from EUR 3.70 million to EUR 3.44 million. On the other hand, the other subdivisions recorded a positive development. The cloud computing business in the subsidiary weclapp grew by 55.38 % compared to the first quarter of 2018. The growth-related increase in personnel and selling expenses led to a decline in the EBITDA margin from around 34 % to around 25 %. The increasing share of cloud computing business in this segment nevertheless contributes to the disproportionately high increase in EBITDA by 58.33% to EUR 0.76 million (Q1/2018: EUR 0.48 million). Also, thanks to the low depreciation and amortization in this business area, the segment result increased by 77.42% to EUR 0.55 million (Q1/2018: EUR 0.31 million).

The good wind yield combined with high solar irradiation led to a 40.94 % increase in sales in the renewable energies segment to EUR 2.41 million (Q1/2018: EUR 1.71 million). At EUR 1.99 million, segment EBITDA grew by 30.92 % compared with EUR 1.52 million in the first three months of 2018 to EUR 1.99 million. After depreciation on wind turbines and interest expenses for the loans used there, segment earnings amounted to EUR 0.80 million, an increase of 11.11 % (Q1/2018: EUR 0.72 million).

The SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology) segment also achieved strong revenue growth of 35.25 % to EUR 7.29 million (Q1/2018: EUR 5.39 million). In particular, the strategically important e-commerce business of the Selfio subsidiary grew disproportionately by 43 % in this segment and more than tripled EBITDA. The rise in the cost of materials ratio in the SHAC segment to 76.79% (Q1/2018: 75.45%) could not be offset by the decline in the share of personnel and other expenses: Although EBITDA was slightly positive again for the first time at EUR 0.03 million (Q1/2018: EUR ‑0.04 million), the segment result remained negative at EUR ‑0.06 million (Q1/2018: EUR 0.01 million, including tax income of EUR 0.04 million). The measures initiated to expand logistics capacities and optimize processes will lead to a noticeable improvement in margins in the future as planned.

Increase in cash and cash equivalents and equity

The cash inflow from operating activities developed positively and reached EUR 1.68 million (Q1/2018: cash inflow EUR 0.24 million). As cash outflows from investing and financing activities were lower than in the first quarter of 2018, a positive cash flow of EUR 0.08 million (Q1/ 2018: negative cash flow: EUR -1.24 million) was generated despite the continued scheduled loan repayments. Cash and cash equivalents rose accordingly to EUR 8.47 million (1 January 2019: EUR 8.38 million).

Total assets increased to EUR 77.92 million (31.12.2018: EUR 74.49 million). The balance sheet extension is mainly due to the first-time application of the new accounting standard IFRS16 (Leasing). Capitalised rights of use amounting to EUR 3.35 million are offset by leasing liabilities amounting to EUR 3.28 million. As a result of the progress in business operations, inventories increased to EUR 7.45 million (31.12.2018: EUR 6.99 million). Current loan repayments led to a 3.76 % decrease in non-current and current financial liabilities to EUR 22.32 million (31.12.2018: EUR 23.19 million). Equity reached EUR 41.96 million (31.12.2018: EUR 41.44 million) thanks to the result for the period. Due to the balance sheet extension, the equity ratio decreased slightly to 53.85 % (31.12.2018: 55.63 %).

Forecast for 2019 confirmed

Following the good start into the 2019 financial year, the Management Board has reaffirmed its forecast and expects a significant increase in sales. Revenues in the range of EUR 51.0 million to EUR 55.0 million are expected to be generated in 2019. EBITDA is expected to rise to between EUR 7.0 million and EUR 9.0 million. However, according to current planning, consolidated earnings will again be between EUR 1.0 million and EUR 2.0 million due to higher depreciation and amortization and higher tax expenses.

“Since the beginning of 2019 we have unabatedly continued our course of profitable growth,” emphasizes Michael Schmidt, CEO of 3U HOLDING AG. “It remains our key objective to develop our technologies innovatively, remove obstacles to growth and tap new potential. And this is already making a significant contribution to sales and earnings growth today. In particular, we are deliberately building up personnel in the most important business segments.”

Quarterly Announcement

The Announcement for the first quarter of the 2019 financial year will be published today, on 15 May 2019. It can be downloaded from the company’s website at www.3u.net under “Investor-Relations/Publications”.

 

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

3U sells warehouse and logistics centre: future new location to tap capacity and efficiency advantages

  • Successful online business segment gains additional scope for growth
  • Important intermediate step towards expanding and optimising logistics

Marburg, 13 May 2019 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) has now signed a contract to sell its own warehouse and logistics centre, which has been in use for many years, as an important intermediate step in the expansion and optimisation of the supply chain management of its e-commerce business. Final negotiations are currently underway on the move to a considerably larger location planned for the first half of 2020. 3U is thus creating new scope for growth for the strongly growing online business of its subsidiary Selfio. The new location will provide space for the foreseeable and future capacity expansions as well as a higher degree of automation. The associated efficiency benefits will make a significant contribution to the announced improvement in margins in the online trading segment. As part of the sale, the buyer will give 3U the opportunity to continue using the existing location until the warehouse is completely relocated.

The transaction leads to a book profit of just under EUR 0.3 million. The new building for the warehouse and logistics centre is not to be acquired but rented.

To have one’s supply chain processes organized as efficiently as possible is one of the key success factors in e-commerce. The existing warehouse and logistics facilities and processes have helped to increase Selfio GmbH’s sales tenfold over the past seven years. In view of the emerging capacity limits, the decision was made to relocate in favour of further sales and earnings growth.

“Online visibility, product price and availability are the key success criteria in the online business,” explains Michael Schmidt, CEO of 3U HOLDING AG. “We have mastered the best visibility and optimal pricing and achieve the best results for ourselves and our customers with innovative processes. In order to be able to expand the availability of our products and services in a forward-looking manner, we will now introduce state-of-the-art technologies on twice as large an area. This will enable us to achieve even better customer satisfaction with improved margins at the same time. We will therefore continue to consistently implement our growth strategy in 2019, continuously develop ourselves technologically, remove any obstacles to growth that may arise and tap new potential.”

 

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

Fresh air for Selfio

  • inVENTer relies on online sales power of Selfio GmbH
  • Online distribution of decentralised ventilation systems

Marburg, 9 May 2019 – inVENTer GmbH (www.inventer.de), the leading manufacturer of decentralised ventilation systems with heat recovery in Germany, has concluded an agreement with Selfio GmbH (www.selfio.de), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3U HOLDING AG (WKN: 516790), for the online marketing and distribution of its products. Selfio will serve as authorized on-line sales channel of the inVENTer systems for controlled, pollution free housing ventilation.

inVENTer wins the support of Selfio as the leading specialized German on-line dealer making use of the efficient all-round carefree handling of their on-line business. The inVENTer products fit excellently into the building and living products spectrum of Selfio with its emphasis on heating and air conditioning technology. With this addition of a widely used and technically leading ventilation technology to the product portfolio, Selfio is strengthening its market position and opening additional economic potential.

“We look forward to a fruitful cooperation”, emphasizes Annett Wettig, Managing Director of inVENTer GmbH. “With the professional support by Selfio we secure a high-quality service for the customers and expect rising sales potentials owing to the high market acceptance of Selfio.”

“inVENTer created a completely new market segment with their ventilation systems and, thereby, has been most successful for 20 years now”, Dominik Schmucki explains, managing director of Selfio GmbH: “Our customers will appreciate this additional leading-edge offer. This cooperation underpins our excellent e-commerce market position in Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology and will further advance our growth strategy.”

 

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

3U HOLDING AG: Acquisition of another wind farm

  •  Investment volume of approx. TEUR 830 is fully self-financed
  • •Total rated output 6 MW – guaranteed feed-in tariff according to EEG until 12/2020

Marburg, April 12, 2018 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) announces the purchase of an existing wind farm with 6 wind turbines and an installed total rated output of 6 MW. The net purchase price for the targeted acquisition of 100 percent of the company shares is approx. TEUR 830 and thus at a favourable approx. TEUR 140 per MW of nominal output. At present, sales contracts for about 95 % of the shares are already closed. The acquisition of the shares is fully financed by own funds. Effective date of transition is January 1, 2018.

The wind farm Klostermoor in the state of Lower Saxony was built in 1999 and has a guaranteed feed-in tariff according to the EEG up to and including December 2020.

The annual electricity production of the wind farm is expected to average 8,200 MWh to 8,500 MWh; this results in an annual remuneration according to EEG of approx. TEUR 770 to approx. TEUR 800. The amount of sales achieved after the expiry of the guaranteed EEG remuneration cannot yet be reliably predicted today. However, 3U HOLDING AG assumes that the wind farm can continue to operate profitably after the end of the guaranteed EEG remuneration.

As a result of the transaction, 3U HOLDING AG is taking another important strategic step in the segment Renewable Energies towards a successful project manager in the field of wind energy. In the financial year 2017, this segment generated sales of EUR 9.7 million (2016: EUR 4.9 million) and EBITDA of more than EUR 6.2 million (2016: EUR 3.7 million).

Together with the newly acquired wind farm, 3U HOLDING AG generates continuous income from its own electricity generation via existing solar and wind farms with a total nominal output of around 45 MW. In addition, the Company announced in 2017 the successful sale of the wind farm Schlenzer. For 2018, an option agreement has already been agreed for the sale of another wind farm (Lüdersdorf II).