Ownership structure changed at KNAPP AG

KNAPP AG announces a change in the ownership structure starting May 11, 2018. Effective immediately, the Bartenstein Holding GmbH will take over 28.4 percent of KNAPP AG from the previous co-owner, the Japanese company DAIFUKU Co., LTD.

During this transaction, the Knapp family is asserting their pre-emptive right to shares within the DAIFUKU Co., LTD. package and raising their share to 71.6 percent.

The Bartenstein family is a strategic, long-term investor and the KNAPP AG Managing Board welcomes their commitment and views the increase in participation by the Knapp family as a tremendous sign of trust. Gerald Hofer, CEO, KNAPP AG stated: “We are looking forward to an active and dedicated cooperation, and to be able to successfully advance our vision of being an international technology leader for logistics system solutions with our roots in Austria. We will make every effort to justify the confidence placed in us.”

Bartenstein Holding views their stake in KNAPP as a long-term industrial investment in one of the best-established technological companies in Austria. “In the global market of material handling, KNAPP is one of the top ten, with great potential for further growth,” stated Martin Bartenstein.  “In the interests of the company, I am looking forward to a good partnership with the founding family Knapp, and would like to thank the Managing Board for the warm welcome as an investor.”

Dr. Herbert Knapp, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, KNAPP AG welcomes the participation of the Bartenstein family, “From the outset, the Knapp family has stood for stability and for the sustainable development of the company. We welcome the participation of Bartenstein Holding and look forward to a positive collaboration.”

KNAPP AG again recorded clear growth in sales and earnings for the business year 2017/2018 ending on March 31, 2018. The company recently took over the Gelsenkirchen based KHT/Apostore, a specialist for measurement systems and pharmacy automation. Further details will be provided in the press briefing on annual results on June 19.

About KNAPP

KNAPP AG, headquartered in Hart bei Graz, is internationally active in the field of warehouse automation and warehouse logistics software. With more than 30 sites, KNAPP supports customers around the world. With around 3,500 employees, the company generated a turnover of 632 million euros in the past business year.