INDUS
What moved INDUS!
The year 2019 is coming to an end. I invite you to look back with me on an eventful twelve months marked by portfolio growth, a record year in the Construction/Infrastructure segment and the tense situation in the Automotive Technology.
With the new strategy programme PARKOUR, the course was set at the beginning of the year to be able to act in the best possible way under changed market conditions. In order to increase the competitiveness and earning power of the INDUS portfolio companies, in addition to actively strengthening the portfolio, the focus is on promoting innovation and improving performance in the companies. INDUS started in a strong first quarter of 2019. The highly profitable segments of Construction/Infrastructure and Engineering were the main contributors.
Unfortunately, the positive trend of the first quarter did not continue in the further course of the year due to growing pressure on series production suppliers in the Automotive Technology segment. However, especially in these challenging times, the broad-based INDUS portfolio proves itself. Despite the negative developments in the Automotive Technology segment, the INDUS Group as a whole developed stably.
By acquiring MESUTRONIC, a specialist in metal and foreign body detection in production processes, and DSG, a well-established provider of railway technology, we were again able to set a strong example on the acquisition side this year. We are pleased that we were able to further strengthen our portfolio and thus contribute to the goals of the PARKOUR strategy. Furthermore, the minority interest in TKI was sold to the majority shareholder at a profit in September.
Let me summarize it as follows: Although 2019 was a challenging year, we are optimistic! The majority of the INDUS companies continue to grow and enable us to invest in further expanding the group and driving innovation.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Management and the entire INDUS team, I wish you all a merry and relaxing time with your family and friends for the coming Christmas. We are looking forward to an exciting and successful year 2020!
With kind regards,
Your Dr. Johannes Schmidt
Dr.-Ing. Johannes Schmidt
Dr. Johannes Schmidt studied applied mathematics and obtained his doctorate for Dr.-Ing. in the department of mechanics. He has been a member of the Board of Management of Indus since 2006 and has taken over the chairmanship of the Executive Board by July 1, 2018.