Majority stake in Rosenbauer

Pierer and Mateschitz increase company shares

Stefan Pierer, Mark Mateschitz and two companies of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich invest in Rosenbauer.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Rosenbauer International, Horst Einöder, AFP/Kerstin Joensson, KTM/E. Tschann)

KTM's struggle for economic survival is not stopping Stefan Pierer from expanding his corporate empire at the same time. Early on Thursday morning, Robau Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH, founded with Mark Mateschitz and two companies from Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich, announced that it had increased its stake in Rosenbauer. Hours later, the deal was finally given the green light.

In mid-January, Robau Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH, which is backed by Stefan Pierer, Mark Mateschitz and two companies of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich, made an offer to acquire all outstanding shares in Rosenbauer International in accordance with the law. The investor was thus able to secure a further 7.53 percent, as Robau announced on Thursday morning. Five hours later, the entire deal was formally completed. After Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had also recently given the green light for the new majority shareholder in the fire equipment supplier, Kuwait also waved Robau's entry through.

Representatives of the founding family cede 25.15 percent
The takeover of Rosenbauer by Robau, which will also strengthen Rosenbauer's equity, was almost like a whirlwind. Stefan Pierer and Co. were first linked to Rosenbauer at the beginning of June 2024. On June 20, it was then clear: Pierer, Mateschitz and Raiffeisen Oberösterreich would acquire 3.4 million new shares, forking out around 119 million euros. At the beginning of August, the plans to acquire a majority stake in the fire equipment supplier from Leonding (Upper Austria) became reality. Because Robau Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH, Robau for short, will acquire a 25.15 percent share package from Rosenbauer Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH and thus from representatives of the founding family, a 50.1 percent stake has been secured.

The EU Commission approved the deal in November, but the official approvals from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were still missing. Nevertheless, Robau did not want to wait any longer and submitted a so-called anticipatory mandatory offer to the shareholders for the remaining 49.9 percent, enabling them to sell their shares to Robau at a standard price of EUR 35 per share. Incidentally, this is now still valid: further shares can be transferred to the new investor until 5 p.m. on May 20.

119 million euros for the new shares
On Thursday afternoon it was clear: now that all countries have given their okays, the investment can be completed. The capital increase at Rosenbauer will be carried out in February. 119 million euros will be paid for the new shares alone (3.4 million shares) of the firefighting equipment manufacturer.

At the same time, Stefan Pierer is also keeping a close eye on other deadlines: On Thursday, the restructuring plan of Pierer Industrie AG was voted on at the regional court in Wels - the creditors gave the green light for the newly fixed repayment dates of promissory note loans and bonds. On Tuesday, February 25, the fate of KTM is at stake: the restructuring plan will be put to the vote at the regional court in Ried im Innkreis. The motorcycle manufacturer is offering creditors a 30 percent quota, which is to be paid in June.