www.3u.net: central source of information for shareholders showcases its new design and additional functionalities

  • A treasure trove of data, facts, documents and reports in a responsive design
  • Website serves as a central information platform for all matters concerning the 3U share and the Group
  • Commentaries, interviews and background information facilitate a better understanding and invite all parties to engage in dialogue and interact
  • Update of the webpage dedicated to positioning as an attractive employer and company offering vocational training

Marburg, July 19, 2023 – Since July 18, 2023, the website of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) now presents a new look. The company has traditionally placed great emphasis on information and transparency and fosters the regular exchange of information with all stakeholders. The www.3u.net website provides interested parties with direct access to a wide range of documents and materials that 3U provides in an updated form and as a historical archive. The new relaunch of the website features a contemporary design and an easier overview of the various control functions. The responsive design enables content to be displayed on all manner of devices.

“We view our online presence as a central point that combines all relevant information on the Group for all stakeholders. Visitors to the website will also experience value added in their search,” says Uwe Knoke, Management Board member responsible for strategy and business development. Naturally, the website carries a wealth of updated and historical financial reports, key documents on corporate governance at 3U, upcoming dates and information on the 3U share. Under the motto of “Successful in Megatrends”, it gives an insight into the three megatrends in which 3U currently operates, as well as the respective business models, along with the products and services on offer. The webpages presenting information on the areas of business and segments provide direct access to the live websites of the subsidiaries.

Along with data and facts, comprehensive commentaries and interviews, video recordings and background discussions promote an understanding of 3U, its strategies and its prospects. Links to the YouTube channel and to the social media accounts provide opportunities for interaction and encourage dialogue.

The website offers extensive information on 3U as an employer under a dedicated heading. Budding experts in the fields of IT, marketing and office management report on their everyday experiences in a “Trainee blog”.

In summary: 3U HOLDING AG presents itself as an investment company with an understanding of actively promoting and driving the business of its subsidiaries in megatrends while acquiring assets suitable for enhancing and monetizing value in the interest of its stakeholders and – last but not least – as a company that seeks and fosters interaction.

 

For further information:
Thomas Fritsche
Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0)6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0)6421 999-1222
email: IR@3U.net

About 3U:
Founded in 1997, 3U HOLDING AG (www.3U.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany. It heads up the 3U Group as the operating management and investment holding company. With the aim of enhancing value for the shareholders, the employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, 3U acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology), Renewable Energies and SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning). The 3U Group operates successfully and profitably in megatrends through its business models in all three segments and strives to achieve leading positions in the various markets, especially with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; stock symbol: UUU).

By pursuing its “MISSION 2026”, 3U HOLDING AG enters into the next phase of significant value appreciation, following on from the sale of weclapp SE

  • The 3U Group’s strategic value potential is to rise significantly to between €510 million and €620 million over the period up until 2026.
  • Successful track record in generating value, with weclapp SE as a recent example, along with a focus on three equally dynamic, high-growth megatrends, form the foundation of future success.
  • All segments are contributing to organic and profitable growth.
  • Plans include several acquisitions in the SHAC and ITC segments, flanked by ramping up capacities in the renewable energies business.

Marburg, 13 July 2023 – In consultation with the Supervisory Board, and following on from the exceptional success in realising value through the sale of the Group’s participating interest in weclapp SE, the Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) has defined the cornerstones of its new, updated value strategy for the years ahead in its MISSION 2026 under the motto of “High Growth Paired With Value”. MISSION 2026 has its roots in the 3U Group’s meanwhile advanced, sound growth strategy developed many years ago which has been successfully implemented since that time. The Group will therefore continue to be rigorously aligned to dynamic revenue growth, accompanied by sustainable growth in profitability and value. Accordingly, management has realigned and also partly launched growth initiatives in the three segments of SHAC (e-commerce), Renewable Energies and ITC (digitalisation). These initiatives are expected to deliver value potential in a range of between €510 million and €620 million over the period up until the end of 2026. A comprehensive investment programme in a volume of more than €220 million is also part of laying the foundations. This programme provides for company acquisitions as well as the substantial expansion of nominal output in the renewable energies business. To this end, the company has generated a high level of financial resources in the recent past through successful transactions, such as the exceptionally successful sale of its participating investment in weclapp in 2022 with an enterprise value realised of €240 million.

Enhancing value on behalf of the shareholders

As a management and holding company, 3U HOLDING AG views raising the value of its assets in the interest of all stakeholders as its corporate purpose and as an integral part of its mission. The 3U Group focuses on three megatrends in which its companies have already garnered success:

  • e-commerce with its focus on climate friendly technologies,
  • environmentally compatible energy production from wind power and photovoltaics, as well as
  • providing support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through comprehensive digitalisation.

Strategic alignment with strong growth and value creation in all three segments

3U is aiming to raise its revenues from currently around €30 million to more than €150 million by 2026 in its SHAC segment (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning), and therefore in e-commerce. These endeavours should leverage value potential of €300 million to €350 million.

The foundations underpinning these plans consist of the excellent framework conditions facilitated by the sustainable energy transition prescribed under the law (RE target of 65%), the concurrent growing lack of skilled labour, as well as strong organic growth of the respective companies through expanding the product range and developing new market segments, such as in the prefabricated house industry or in the field of carbon neutral heating, as well as by acquiring profitable companies which round off the existing offering. The significant improvement in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of up to 8% of revenue (EBITDA margin) is to be achieved by raising efficiency, economies of scale and gradually increasing the share of proprietary brands. The company has earmarked own funds of €80 million to €100 million for financing acquisitions. Management sees above-average value potential in the segment, particularly through an initial public offering or through a partial to full sale of subsidiary Selfio targeted by 2025.

3U intends to take advantage of improving regulatory framework conditions in the Renewable Energies segment in order to significantly expand its portfolio of wind farms. As communicated back in June, undertakings in repowering and in project development already under way are to be connected to the grid as from 2025 depending on progress made in planning, approval and construction. 3U expects the planned trebling of nominal output, from currently 53 MW eventually to between 150 MW and 200 MW to require medium- to long-term financing in a range customary in the market of more than €150 million. Financing is to be secured partly through loans eligible for subsidies on favourable terms, with a contribution made by the company of around 10% to 20%. Value potential of between €150 million and €200 million is to be realised through these measures.

In the ITC segment (Information and Telecommunications Technology), 3U is increasingly positioning itself with its expertise and rigorous customer orientation as a partner specialised in digitalisation for SMBs. Long-term service contracts in this business will lead to a rising proportion of recurring revenue, while stable cash flows will be established in the core business. Organic growth in the Managed Services business is to be accelerated through acquisitions. The EBITDA margin is to be maintained at a sustainably high level of 25% to 30%. Management is aiming to realise value potential worth €60 million to €70 million over the period up until 2026.

Financially sound – and positioning as a dividend stock

“Our MISSION 2026 has its roots in an advanced, sound growth strategy, which has been successfully implemented for years. Given our track record in successfully realising exceptional value growth, experience in our three megatrends, and thanks to a motivated and powerful team, we see huge opportunities for progressing 3U to the next stage in profitability and for leveraging the Group’s value potential at a new level,” emphasises Uwe Knoke, member of 3U HOLDING AG’s Management Board. “We have our own extensive financial resources of around €70 million at our disposal. In addition, we have access to different financing options and, in implementing our medium- to long-term ambitions, can produce sound balance sheet figures. This serves to secure the financing of our investment undertakings planned in a volume of more than €220 million and an equity portion of an estimated > 50 % in total. This financially sound position and progress made in realising our strategic agenda should then also be reflected in an improvement in our valuation ratios,” adds Christoph Hellrung, Chief Financial Officer of 3U HOLDING AG. Uwe Knoke comments further, emphasising the following: “We are also striving to enhance value for our shareholders through this ambitious – but realistic – growth programme. We will fundamentally continue to distribute around 50% of the annual result in the form of lucrative dividend which, as illustrated by the successful sale of weclapp, may also be considerably more, as recently evidenced by €3.20 per share and approximately €117.5 million for FY 2022.”

You can find a recording, available from 14 July 2023 onwards, of the management presentation in the context of presenting the new MISSION 2026 on 3U’s homepage under the Investor Relations heading.

For further information:

Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 (0)6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 (0)6421 999-1222
email: ir@3u.net

About 3U:

Founded in 1997, 3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) has its headquarters in Marburg, Germany. It heads up the 3U Group as the operating management and investment holding company. With the aim of enhancing value for the shareholders, the employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, 3U acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology), Renewable Energies and SHAC (Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning). The 3U Group operates successfully and profitably in megatrends through its business models in all three segments and strives to achieve leading positions in the various markets, especially with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; stock symbol: UUU).

Renewable energies at 3U HOLDING AG with even more power in future

  • More than three times the installed nominal capacity to 150 to 200 MW in the pipeline
  • Project development in Brandenburg to be resumed after several years of interruption
  • Additional value enhancement potential through repowering of existing wind farms

Marburg, 20 June 2023 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) is resuming its activities to develop new wind farms. At the end of 2018, 3U had temporarily stopped the further development of several wind farm projects in Brandenburg after the state parliament had issued a “moratorium” on wind expansion. Following the enactment of various laws to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies, in particular the “Wind Energy on Land Act” (WaLG) and the “Wind Energy Area Requirements Act” (WindBG), the state of Brandenburg is realigning its regional planning. This opens up new opportunities for 3U to continue existing projects and to tackle new ones. Also in connection with an already applied for and further repowering projects to be initiated in the existing wind farms, this results in a considerable potential for increasing value.

Depending on the weather conditions, 3U generates an annual average of more than 65 GWh (gigawatt hours) of electricity from the 53 MW (megawatts) of installed nominal capacity of its three wind farms and the solar park. This means that 3U’s electricity production currently corresponds to the consumption of more than 20,000 multi-person households.

Also as a contribution to achieving the national climate targets, it is part of the growth strategy in the 3U Group to significantly expand electricity generation in the Renewable Energies segment. To this end, the company is pursuing two main approaches: repowering, i.e. the replacement of existing wind turbines with more advanced new state-of-the-art turbines, and project development, i.e. the planning and construction of new wind farms. The implementation of both strategy components is dependent on the legal planning requirements as well as on continued complex approval procedures by municipal institutions and state authorities.

Repowering

As a first step, 3U submitted an application for repowering part of the Langendorf wind farm to the Burgenlandkreis district in Saxony-Anhalt in summer 2022. Currently, 15 wind turbines with a nominal output of 1.5 MW each are operated in Langendorf. The application proposes to replace seven of these turbines with five new wind turbines with a nominal capacity of 6.2 MW each. The installed capacity of the wind farm could be increased from currently 22.5 MW to 43 MW with the implementation of the project. Due to their design, the new turbines generate about twice as much electricity per MW of rated output as the existing ones. After repowering, the total electricity production of the Langendorf wind farm would therefore increase from the current average of around 32 GWh to around 100 GWh. The eight remaining old turbines will continue to be operated during the construction phase and afterwards. For the implementation of the project, 3U estimates a financing volume of around EUR 40 million and expects a return on equity of 15 %.

For a possible repowering of the Klostermoor wind farm, 3U has held promising preliminary talks with the local authorities in anticipation of the required application and approval process and has already extended the lease agreements with the land owners of the existing farm. With the planned replacement of the six existing wind turbines with three modern wind turbines, the installed capacity of the wind farm could be increased by a factor of 3.5 from the current 6 MW to 21 MW.

If the legal requirements also allow for the existing wind farm Roge and the other areas in the wind farm Langendorf, additional repowering projects could also be planned there and implemented after official approval.

Project development

The Brandenburg state government has instructed the regional planning authorities to replace the previous “exclusion planning”, which limited wind expansion, with “offer planning”, which will probably lead to the increased designation of suitability areas for wind energy use. In the course of this, the regional planning for those areas where 3U intends to develop wind farm projects and has already secured rights of use will also be redrawn. Currently, 3U is evaluating various projects in Brandenburg as promising. In part, this concerns areas in which 3U had already built wind farms in the past and subsequently sold them to investors as part of its corporate purpose of increasing value. The construction of further wind farms there appears to be possible in principle.

The planning documents prepared by 2018 indicated a maximum target capacity of more than 80 MW nominal output for the planned projects in Brandenburg. Higher values would be achievable with state-of-the-art turbines.

Currently, 3U is validating the prospects and potential of the projects it has worked on and will prioritise them appropriately – also from the point of view of the internal resources at hand. It is planned to extend the lease agreements with the landowners accordingly and adjust them as necessary.

For the distribution of electricity from wind power, 3U received an average of more than EUR 80 per MWh in the 2022 financial year; in the first quarter of the 2023 financial year, the revenue averaged around EUR 104 per MWh thanks to the new electricity supply contracts negotiated at the beginning of 2022 and the positive market environment.

The 3U Group’s Renewable Energies segment also includes the Adelebsen solar park with a nominal output of around 10 MW and an average annual electricity yield of around 10 GWh. Until 2032, remuneration is generally based on the guaranteed feed-in tariff of EUR 195 per MWh in accordance with the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

Business model

In its 2022 financial year, 3U generated revenues of EUR 7.20 million in the Renewable Energies segment from the distribution of generated electricity. Due to the low operating costs optimised in the 3U Group, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of 60 % to 70 % of revenues are achieved on average.

The generation of electricity from wind and sun is dependent on the weather conditions. Solar irradiation and wind yield are beyond the control of the operators. 3U HOLDING AG and its subsidiaries as operators achieve a high technical availability of the plants as a basic prerequisite for electricity generation through professional monitoring and maintenance of the wind farms. The revenue from electricity distribution is calculated as the product of the amount of electricity fed into the grid and the respective remunerated price. Consequently, the price negotiations and arrangements on the part of the management as well as the general electricity price level have an influence on the level of the economic success of the plants. A full implementation of the projects outlined here, both in repowering and through the development of new wind farm projects, would result in electricity generation in the Renewable Energies segment in the 3U Group multiplying and the installed nominal capacity increasing to 150 to 200 MW. While project development is financed from its equity capital resources, 3U relies mainly on bank loans and, where available, low-interest programmes from the KfW Banking Group to finance repowering projects and the construction of new wind farms.

“In our group-wide growth strategy, the segment Renewable Energies is now playing a significantly growing role again,” emphasises Uwe Knoke, responsible for strategy and business development on the Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG. “Repowering and project development cannot be realised overnight, but they open up considerable potential for revenues and earnings for us in the medium term. The strong expansion of our power generation from sun and wind is a contribution to achieving the national climate targets, but also to once again realising our corporate purpose of increasing value in the interest of all stakeholders.”

Further Information:

Thomas Fritsche
Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 6421 999-2211
Fax: +49 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. For the purpose of increasing value for its shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, it acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments 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 and is striving to achieve leading positions in the market, in particular with its e-commerce business area.
3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

Upgrading: Bundesbank certifies 3U HOLDING AG’s credit rating as “eligible” for the first time

  • Basis is the assay of the financial statements as of 31 December 2021
  • Rating corresponds to “investment grade”

Marburg, 13 June 2023 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) has been classified as “eligible” by the Deutsche Bundesbank for the first time. Companies classified as eligible by the Bundesbank’s credit analysis may be treated by the Bundesbank and by other central banks of the Eurosystem for monetary policy purposes in the same way as companies that have been rated investment grade by one of the rating agencies recognised by the Eurosystem for monetary policy purposes. Credit claims against such entities are eligible as collateral for monetary policy operations of the Bundesbank and other Eurosystem central banks. The rating is based on an analysis of the annual and consolidated financial statements of 3U HOLDING AG as at 31 December 2021.

“We are pleased about the new rating – even if it has no direct influence on our financing conditions,” emphasises Christoph Hellrung, CFO of 3U HOLDING AG. “It underlines the stable course of our company. Since 2016, we have successfully focused on increasing value and on growth with our three Group segments in megatrends. In addition, we have understood how to continuously improve our key figures, also through solid financing and balance sheet policies. Also by this improved credit rating, we feel encouraged to consistently pursue our strategy, to strengthen the planned organic growth through targeted investments and to realise value increases in due course – in the interest and for the benefit of our stakeholders.”

For further information:

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

About 3U:

3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net), based in Marburg, Germany, was founded in 1997. As the operating management and investment holding company, it heads up the 3U Group. With a view to increasing the value for the shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, the company 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 operates successfully and profitably with its business models in mega trends in all three segments and is striving to attain market leadership in particular with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U stays its course of organic growth

  • All three segments contribute to the Group’s performance
  • EBITDA margin at 14.0 % despite the lower level of other income
  • Management Board affirms guidance for 2023

May 10, 2023 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) steered a steady course of organic growth in the first quarter of the financial year 2023.

Consolidated revenue from continued operations rose by 2.5 % to EUR 13.27 million in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: EUR 12.95 million). All three segments contributed to the Group’s success. The ITC segment generated a share of 23.5 % (Q1 2022: 24.0 %) in revenue (net of consolidation effects), while the Renewable Energies segment delivered 19.2 % (Q1 2022: 18.7 %) and the SHAC segment 58.4 % (Q1 2022: 58.3 %). The interim financial statements as at 31 March 2023 no longer comprise the revenue and results of operation, assets and liabilities, and information on the employees of the cloud computing business in the subgroup of weclapp SE which was deconsolidated in the financial year 2022. Consequently, the figures from continued operations from the first quarter of 2022 are used for year-on-year comparison.

EBITDA

In the first quarter of 2022, 3U HOLDING AG achieved net other operating income EUR 1.88 million from the property development project InnoHubs. In the period under review, this figure was considerably lower at EUR 0.08 million. At 61.7 % in the first quarter of 2023, the cost of materials ratio (cost of materials as a percentage of revenue) remained at the year-earlier level, as did the personnel expenses ratio (personnel expenses as a percentage of revenue) which came in at 15.7 % (Q1 2022: 15.7 %). Despite the higher level of maintenance expenses incurred by repairing a wind turbine in Roge, the percentage share of other operating expenses in sales that stood at 12.5 % dropped below the previous year’s level (Q1 2022: share of other operating expenses minus the costs associated with progress made in implementing office space sold in the InnoHubs building complex at 14.9 %). Against this backdrop, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined to EUR 1.86 million in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: EUR 3.63 million). The downturn resulted from the lower level of other operating income from the InnoHubs property development project. The Group’s EBITDA margin came in at 14.0 % following on from 28.0 % in the year-earlier reporting period.

Group result

Depreciation and amortisation totalled EUR 0.85 million in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: EUR 0.84 million). Over the same period, 3U recorded a positive financial result of EUR 0.77 million (Q1 2022: EUR -0.07 million), along with tax expenses of EUR 0.19 million (Q1 2022: EUR 0.79 million).

The proportion of the consolidated result attributable to shareholders of the parent company stood at EUR 1.41 million in the reporting period (Q1 2022: EUR 1.55 million). Earnings per share therefore amounted to EUR 0.04 (basic and diluted).

Segment results

The ITC segment recorded stable revenue development in the period under review. Segment revenue of EUR 3.12 million was achieved in the first three months of 2023 (Q1 2022: EUR 3.11 million). The Data Center & Managed Services business generated growth. The improvement in internal efficiency and the increase in service revenue lifted the segment’s EBITDA by 9.1 %. EBITDA posted EUR 0.93 million compared with EUR 0.85 million the first quarter of 2022. The ITC segment’s EBITDA margin therefore came in at 29.7 % (Q1 2022: 27.2 %).

Due to the weather conditions and the temporary downtime of a wind turbine in Roge, the Renewable Energies segment generated less electricity than in the strong first quarter of 2022. At the start of 2022, however, the Management Board had already negotiated advantageous power purchase agreements going forward into the financial year 2023 for two wind farms, and current price levels in the market also supported the revenue trend. The revenue generated by the Renewable Energies segment grew by 5.4 % to EUR 2.55 million year on year (Q1 2022: EUR 2.42 million). Other operating expenses were higher due the necessary repair work. As a result, segment EBITDA also declined by 5.6 % to at EUR 1.90 million (Q1 2022: EUR 2.02 million).

Contrary to the weak industry environment, the SHAC segment’s revenue advanced by 2.7 % to EUR 7.75 million (Q1 2022: 7.55 million). Rising demand, especially for heating systems, was reflected in the expansion of PELIA Gebäudesysteme GmbH’s business which grew by more than 20 %. At the same time, the SHAC segment’s cost of materials ratio continues to run at a high level of 82.2 % (Q1 2022: 81.9 %). With costs otherwise largely steady, segment EBITDA improved again while nevertheless still remaining in marginally negative territory.

Cash flow and financials

Low cash inflow of EUR 0.27 million from investing activities (Q1 2022: cash outflow of EUR 5.87 million) and EUR 0.20 million from financing activities (Q1 2022: cash inflow of EUR 7.53 million) were offset by the cash outflow from operating activities amounting to EUR 4.40 million (Q1 2022: cash inflow of EUR 7.68 million), which includes the granting of short-term loans to members of the Supervisory Board and to employees and executives. Free cash flow in the first quarter of 2023 is therefore negative at EUR 4.14 million (Q1 2022: positive free cash flow of EUR 1.81 million).

Following the exercising of share options, subscribed capital rose by EUR 0.87 million. Along with the result for the period, this capital increase from Contingent Capital is the reason for the rise in Group equity to currently EUR 213.83 million (31 December 2022: EUR 211.17 million). The equity ratio stood at 87.4 % as of 31 March 2023 (31 December 2022: 86.7%).

The Management Board affirms its guidance announced in March and anticipates strong organic growth in 2023. Revenue in 2023 is expected in a range of between EUR 55.0 million and EUR 60.0 million. In view of the lower level of other income in line with expectations and the significantly higher proportion of lower margin retail business, the Management Board anticipates EBITDA of EUR 6.0 million to EUR 8.0 million. Net profit of the 3U Group is therefore expected in a range of between EUR 2.5 million and EUR 3.5 million.

The actual operating result may be higher or lower than forecast here due to the acquisition or sale of the Group’s operating units. The resulting effects can only be planned for to limited extent, however. The 3U Group remains true to its corporate purpose of creating value in the interest of its shareholders and all stakeholders and will continue to pursue its strategic course of expanding successful parts of the business successfully in the long term and, given the relevant demand, of selling them at attractive conditions.

In harmony with the corporate strategy, the Management Board is addressing a series of investment undertakings. Along with purchasing companies or customer bases in the financial year 2023 this pertains notably to repowering the Langendorf wind farm. Options for further very promising investments are meticulously assessed on a running basis.

Quarterly statement

The quarterly statement on the first quarter of the 2023 financial year will be published today. The report will be made available on the company’s website at www.3u.net under the “Investor Relations/Publications” heading.

For further information:

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

About 3U:

3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net), based in Marburg, Germany, was founded in 1997. As the operating management and investment holding company, it heads up the 3U Group. With a view to increasing the value for the shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, the company 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 operates successfully and profitably with its business models in mega trends in all three segments and is striving to attain market leadership in particular with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

Annual General Meeting of 3U HOLDING AG resolves payment of a record dividend of 3.20 euros per share

  • 3U enables its shareholders to participate disproportionately in the company’s success
  • All items on the agenda received a broad majority
  • New Supervisory Board member elected
  • Optimistic outlook for the full year confirmed

ay 2023 – The Annual General Meeting of 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) today approved the distribution of a record dividend of 3.20 euros per share. This means that more than two thirds of the Group’s 2022 earnings will be paid. 3U pursues a reliable dividend policy based on continuity. Since 2017, Marburger Holding has been enabling its shareholders to participate in the company’s success. The dividend is paid on the third business day after the resolution on the appropriation of profits, this year on 19 May at the latest. All shareholders who own 3U shares on the day of the resolution by the Annual General Meeting are entitled to dividends.

All decision proposals on the agenda received a broad majority. The members of the Management Board and Supervisory Board were also discharged by a large majority, the remuneration report was approved and Ebner Stolz GmbH & Co. KG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft Steuerberatungsgesellschaft was confirmed as auditor for the 2023 financial year.

Three of the four Supervisory Board members were re-elected, including the previous Chairman, Ralf Thoenes, and his Deputy, Stefan Thies. After Mr Jürgen Beck-Bazlen was no longer available for another term on the Supervisory Body, the General Meeting elected Mr Lenard Lange, Managing Director of TOMPAT Invest GmbH, Munich, as a new member of the Supervisory Board. Mr Lange is an expert in IT security and digitalisation. He also brings industry experience from the areas of information and telecommunications technology. Besides his involvement with 3U, the native of Marburg does not currently hold any other Supervisory Board mandates. Michael Schmidt continues to be a member of the controlling body of 3U HOLDING AG.

In the report of the Management Board and in the detailed answers to the questions and comments of the shareholders and shareholders’ associations, the successful sale of weclapp SE in the previous financial year as well as the consistent strategy and the promising growth prospects of 3U were highlighted, among other things. The Management Board confirmed the forecast for the current year, expecting strong organic sales growth as well as a good result.

For further information:

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

About 3U:

3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net), based in Marburg, Germany, was founded in 1997. As the operating management and investment holding company, it heads up the 3U Group. With a view to increasing the value for the shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, the company 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 operates successfully and profitably with its business models in mega trends in all three segments and is striving to attain market leadership in particular with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

“Very high” technical quality and user-friendliness: 3U online trading portal selfio.de among the “Top Shops” by COMPUTERBILD and Statista for the sixth time

  • selfio.de once again among the best-rated e-commerce shops in the home technology sector – top ranking of previous years confirmed
  • Do-it-yourselfers find support for renovation projects at selfio

Marburg, 8 May 2023 – selfio.de, the leading online shop for home technology products in the 3U HOLDING AG Group (ISIN DE0005167902), has once again been ranked among Germany’s best online shops by COMPUTER BILD magazine and the market research portal Statista. selfio.de, which specialises in home technology for do-it-yourselfers, has thus been awarded a prize in this competition for the sixth time in a row. The e-commerce shop of the 3U subsidiary ranks among the 39 Top Shops 2023 in the “Home Technology” segment. As in the previous year, the testers rated the “technical quality” and “user-friendliness” as “very high”. The extensive range of home technology products as well as innovative solutions for saving energy in combination with reliable customer service and unique advice is a common thread running through the entire market presence of 3U e-commerce, which is one of the central strategic focuses of the 3U Group.

“The criteria of technical quality and user-friendliness are extremely important to us. With the current rating, customers and experts certify that we reliably meet these requirements. At the same time, we take the award as an incentive to continue working on improving our online platform,” says Roger Moore, Managing Director of Selfio GmbH, and adds: “With our strategic focus on solutions for energy efficiency and climate-friendly home technology, we want to convince our customers through precisely these criteria – user-friendliness and technical quality. With our sales approach and our marketing, we are successfully setting the tone here.”

The longlist for this year’s ranking included 7,000 online shops. Marketplace providers, B2B shops and shops with a purely foreign-language presence were not evaluated. Shops that only offer digital goods or focus on subscriptions and contracts were also not considered. To qualify for the detailed study, the remaining portals also had to achieve a certain minimum reach or belong to the Top Shops 2022.

A total of 79 characteristics were examined in the detailed study. These included subjective features such as the assessment of the appearance and clarity within the scope of an online survey. Objective features such as delivery times and payment options were tested by 24 independent testers. This resulted in a total of 120,000 test points.

The list of the 1,150 Top Shops 2023 is divided into nine categories: As in the previous year, “Car, Bicycle, Motorcycle”, “Office, Technology & Media”, “Leisure, Games & Hobbies”, “Garden & Handicrafts”, “Food & Health”, “Fashion & Accessories”, “Sport & Outdoor”, “Universal Suppliers” and “Living” are represented. The categories are again divided into several segments.

Grades: “Technical quality” was rated as “excellent” for 15 of the 39 top shops in the “home technology” segment, “very high” for 20, and “high” for four. Ease of use was “excellent” for 14 participants, “very high” for 17, and “high” for eight.

Further Information:
Dr. Joachim Fleing
Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 6421 999-2211
Fax: +49 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. For the purpose of increasing value for its shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, it acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments 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 and is striving to achieve leading positions in the market, in particular with its e-commerce business area.
3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG / April 24, 2023

Voting Rights Announcement according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG can be downloaded here:

PDFfile for download

3U HOLDING AG acquires site in Marburg

  • Tendering for the construction of the new company headquarters is in progress
  • CO2-neutral operation, high amount of green space planned

Marburg, 21 April 2023 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) is acquiring an approximately 3,200 sqm site in Cappel, a district of Marburg, just one kilometre from the company’s current headquarters. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed on 20 April 2023, the purchase price is in the mid six-figure euro range. 3U HOLDING AG intends to build its new company headquarters on the site with workplaces also for the subsidiaries located in Marburg and to move into them by the end of 2024. The new building will have a modern and energy-efficient design, and a high proportion of green space is planned on the site. 3U will operate the building in a CO2-neutral manner; in addition to the installation of sustainable heating and cooling systems, a large photovoltaic system will also be installed on the roof. Currently, tenders are already underway for the construction project, which is scheduled to begin in the coming months.

In 2019, 3U had sold its previous company headquarters, including the land, to Sparkasse Marburg-Biedenkopf, thereby realising a significant increase in value. The lease agreement for the property used by 3U, which has been valid since then, can be terminated by the Sparkasse for the first time with effect from 31 December 2024. The move to the new building should be completed by then.

 

Further Information:
Dr. Joachim Fleing
Investor Relations
3U HOLDING AG
Tel.: +49 6421 999-2211
Fax: +49 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. For the purpose of increasing value for its shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, it acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments 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 and is striving to achieve leading positions in the market, in particular with its e-commerce business area.
3U HOLDING AG’s shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on the German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).

3U HOLDING AG: Options from stock option programme 2018 already mostly exercised

  • Number of total voting rights as at 31 March 2023 amounts to 36,700,514
  • Board members have fully exercised options granted to them
  • 235,500 share options still exercisable

Marburg, 31 March 2023 – After the start of the exercise phase in December 2022, the 2018 stock option programme was intensively used by the eligible employees and managers in the 3U HOLDING AG Group (ISIN DE0005167902). By the end of the second exercise window on 9 March 2023, a total of 1,386,498 options, or 85.5 % of the total available options, had been exercised by 50 persons. Among others, all eligible committee members exercised their purchase right in full. Currently, 235,500 options have not yet been exercised; of these, 156,000 may not be exercised at present because the individual waiting period of four years after the issue of the options has not yet expired. The number of issued shares (total voting rights) of 3U HOLDING AG increased in the course of this to 36,700,514. No further options can be exercised until the Annual General Meeting on 15 May 2023; only then will an exercise window open again. The company recorded a cash inflow of EUR 1.72 million from the exercises.
As at 31 March 2023, the members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board directly or indirectly hold the following shareholdings:

Name Amt Anzahl Aktien Anteil am Kapital
Christoph Hellrung Management Board 166.666 0,45 %
Uwe Knoke Management Board 87.000 0,24 %
Andreas Odenbreit Management Board 187.166 0,51 %
Ralf Thoenes Supervisory Board 25.000 0,07 %
Stefan Thies Supervisory Board 33.084 0,09 %
Jürgen Beck-Bazlen Supervisory Board 1.392.300 3,79 %
Michael Schmidt Supervisory Board 9.176.000 25.00 %

Der Ausübungspreis für die Optionsrechte beträgt EUR 1,24 je Aktie. Das Grundkapital der Gesellschaft wird insoweit erhöht, wie Optionsrechtsinhaber ihre Optionen ausüben. Die neuen Aktien nehmen ab dem Beginn desjenigen Geschäftsjahrs am Gewinn teil, für das zum Zeitpunkt der Ausübung des Optionsrechts noch kein Beschluss der Hauptversammlung über die Verwendung des Gewinns gefasst wurde.

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

Über 3U:
Die 3U HOLDING AG (www.3u.net) mit Sitz in Marburg wurde 1997 gegründet. Sie steht als operative Management- und Beteiligungsholding an der Spitze des 3U Konzerns. Zum Zweck der Wertsteigerung für das Aktionariat, die Beschäftigten, Kunden, Lieferanten und alle Stakeholder erwirbt, betreibt und veräußert sie Unternehmen in den drei Segmenten ITK (Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik), Erneuerbare Energien und SHK (Sanitär-, Heizungs- und Klimatechnik). In allen drei Segmenten ist der 3U Konzern mit Geschäftsmodellen in Megatrends erfolgreich und profitabel und strebt insbesondere mit seinem Geschäftsmodell im E-Commerce marktführende Positionen an.
Die Aktien der 3U HOLDING AG werden auf XETRA, Tradegate und an den deutschen Regionalbörsen gehandelt (ISIN: DE0005167902; Kürzel: UUU).