Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft: Aurelius sells final tranche

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft successfully completes new shareholder structure

28-Sep-2016 - Germany

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft, which is traded on the regulated market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has successfully completed its new shareholder structure. As planned, AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA has given up the final 6.26% tranche of shares it held in Berentzen- Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft. Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft has today published a capital market notification to this effect. Aurelius is no longer a shareholder of the Berentzen Group. Following successful corporate development and presentation on the capital market, Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft has found new investors, thus completing the shift in the ownership structure. Among others, Monolith, a Netherlands-based investment company, has been acquired as a new anchor investor with a 10.4% stake. "We now have a good mixture of institutional and private shareholders in Germany and abroad. The new investors whom we know have made their decision on the basis of the current strategy of the Executive Board, which gives the Group stability for the future," states CEO Frank Schübel.

At the same time, the management would like to thank the exiting investor Aurelius. The private equity firm acquired a stake in the Berentzen Group in 2008 and held up to 60% of the shares for a long period of time. "The entry met with scepticism from the vast majority of stakeholders at the time. Wrongly so, as is evident today. Together, we've been able to move the corporate group ahead dynamically. The development of consolidated revenues and profits is impressive testament to this," recounts Ralf Brühöfner, who, as Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft CFO, has played a key role throughout the investment phase. The private equity firm then started to reduce its holding in spring 2015.

The management of the Berentzen Group is looking to future and will continue to systematically pursue its successful strategy of recent years. With its Spirits, Non-alcoholic Beverages and Fresh Juice Systems segments, the Group boasts three strong pillars, all of which are successful and profitable. This is also reflected in the results: in the first half of the 2016 financial year, revenues rose by 8.6% to EUR 82.0 million while consolidated EBIT increased by 60.8% to EUR 4.0 million. The corporate group expects to record a sharp rise in total operating performance and consolidated EBIT over the year as a whole. "We're absolutely convinced that our strategy and the results will meet the expectations of the new shareholder structure," comments Berentzen Group CEO Frank Schübel.

About the Berentzen Group: The Berentzen Group is one of the leading beverage groups in Germany and simultaneously one of the oldest producers of spirits with a history going back over 250 years. With its well-known brands, above all "Berentzen" and "Puschkin", and attractively priced private-label products, Berentzen- Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft is able to respond competently, comprehensively and quickly to the demands of consumers in Germany and elsewhere. The corporate group also has a strong presence in the field of non-alcoholic beverages. With the fresh juice systems marketed under the "Citrocasa" brand, the Berentzen Group is also moving more strongly into modern, health-oriented markets. (dpa)

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