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Austrian Company Deal News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about financial transactions between Austrian and foreign parties, such as investments, important orders or M&A deals
Trump's Iran Deal Withdrawal Increases Uncertainty for Austrian Companies
Austrian companies react in a wait-and-see manner. The withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran means in practice that the suspension of sanctions will no longer be extended. Considerations range from an immediate halt to activities in Iran to the longest possible active participation within the new sanctions framework. It is unlikely that Austria's exports will reach the 300 million euro mark of the previous year.
May 11, 2018
Iran-Deal - Austrian Oberbank Distances Itself from Framework Credit Agreement with Tehran
Only last year, the Upper Austrian Oberbank was the first European bank to sign a framework credit agreement with Iran. After the USA's withdrawal from the nuclear treaty, the bank is now under pressure and intends to wait and see. The bank says it could certainly take two weeks for a final solution to be found and officially agreed.
May 11, 2018
Takeover of Serbian Sugar Producer Sunoko by Agrana on Hold
The takeover of the Serbian sugar manufacturer Sunoko by the Austrian sugar, starch and fruit manufacturer Agrana has failed due to problems on the European sugar market.
May 4, 2018
OMV Group Report Q1 2018: Profit Down 43%, Production Up 30%
Adjusted operating profit amounted to EUR 818 million, up 2% year-on-year. Net income was also in line with forecasts, although net income for the period fell by 43% year-on-year. One of two key events was the signing of a concession agreement for the acquisition of a 20% stake in two fields offshore Abu Dhabi from ADNOC, as well as two satellite fields. The agreed participation fee amounts to USD 1.5 bn and the duration of the contract is 40 years.
May 4, 2018
Hongkong Holding Company Completes Acquisition of Majority Stake in Austrian Lingerie Brand Wolford
Following the acquisition of 50.87% of the shares (for at least €36M) from the previous majority shareholders, Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Central) is now the new main shareholder of Wolford. The Hongkong financial investor, which is the investment vehicle of Shanghai based Fosun Group, systematically invests in the global fashion and consumer goods industry, and the management of its growing portfolio in the fashion sector was recently put in the hands of Fosun Fashion Group, which holds stakes in the German Tom Tailor Group and the French luxury brand Lanvin, amongst other holdings
May 4, 2018
OMV Receives Political Support for €1.3 Billion Purchase of Two UAE Oil Fields
An economic delegation led by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, with the participation of Margarete Schramböck, Minister of Economic Affairs, OMV CEO Rainer Seele and a small delegation had the main objective of supporting OMV in the concession agreement for the acquisition of a 20% stake in two fields offshore Abu Dhabi from ADNOC.
May 4, 2018
South Korea's LG Electronics Acquires Austrian Automotive Supplier ZKW for €1.1 Bln
South Korean electronics manufacturer LG Electronics is acquiring the Lower Austrian lighting and electronics systems specialist ZKW for more than 1.1 billion euros. It plans to buy a 70 percent stake in ZKW Holding, a supplier to Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Its holding company LG Corp. will purchase the remaining stake for 330 million Euro. LG hopes to expand its position in the automotive lighting sector for self-driving cars. ZKW was previously wholly owned by the entrepreneur Ulrich Mommert.
April 26, 2018
Austria Participates in World EXPO 2020 Dubai Investing €16.5 Mln
Austria's participation agreement for the World Expo 2020 from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 in Dubai has been signed by Government Commissioner Beatrix Karl as part of the "Austria Connect Gulf 2018" event of the WKO Foreign Trade Center (Außenwirtschaftscenter).
April 25, 2018
Doppelmayr to Build Cable Liner at London Airport
At London Luton Airport, Doppelmayr is building a cable car almost two kilometers long with a capacity of 2,720 passengers per hour and per route. This makes Luton Airport the second airport project in the UK after Birmingham for Doppelmayr. The Cable Liner is scheduled to go into operation in April 2021. Doppelmayr does not give details of the project turnover.
April 23, 2018
Toys "R" Us in Austria Gets Northern Irish Owner
The Northern Irish toy dealer Smyths Toys takes over the 15 Toys "R" Us toy stores in Austria.
April 23, 2018
Minister of Economy Visited Huawei and Alibaba During State Visit to China
Federal Minister of Digitization and Business Location Margarete Schramböck signed an agreement to facilitate access to Chinese trading platforms for Austrian companies during the current state visit to China at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFCOM) in Beijing. Global experience shows, however, that one should be cautious with regard to technical cooperation with Chinese and copyright issues.
April 12, 2018
Telekom Austria Prepares Expansion in the Western Balkans
Telekom Austria is strategically strengthening its search for takeover targets and has made EUR 1 billion available in the war chest. CEO Alejandro Plater has announced his intention to expand again in the Western Balkans (Serbia, Croatia and other countries of former Yugoslavia).
April 11, 2018
New Double Taxation Agreement Between Israel and Austria
After almost 50 years, a new double taxation agreement (DTA) for income and capital taxes was signed between Israel and Austria, which includes substantial tax relief.
April 10, 2018
Russia's Yelena Baturina Divests Grand Tirolia Hotel for €45 Mln
The billionaire and wife of Yury Luzhkov, the former Moscow mayor, is selling her Kitzbühel 5-star hotel for 45 million euros to an investor. Rumour has it that the investor is looking for an international operator.
April 10, 2018
OMV Buys Oilfield Shares in Abu Dhabi for USD 1.5 Bln
Listed oil corporation OMV is acquiring 20 percent of two offshore oil fields in Abu Dhabi from the Abu Dhabi oil group ADNOC. The purchase price for the concession and the associated infrastructure amounts to USD 1.5 billion. OMV has already a long relationship with Abu Dhabi. OMV opened a representation office in Abu Dhabi in 2007. Today Abu Dhabi is the location of the Business Hub for OMV´s Upstream Middle East & Africa activities.
April 6, 2018
VIC Strengthens Presence in Hungary and Slovakia
Hungary’s central bank approved the merger of the three VIG Group companies. As a result VIG will be represented in Hungary solely by the insurance company Union Biztosító. In Slovakia, bancassurer Poisťovňa Slovenskej sporiteľne (PSLSP) will merge with Kooperativa poisťovňa.
April 3, 2018
Austrian Budget Airline LaudaMotion: Fighting the Top Dog Lufthansa
LaudaMotion is to become a powerful low-cost airline. Ryanair ultimately intends to acquire a 75 percent stake. From June 2018, a total of 65 routes are to be served from Vienna, from seven German airports (Berlin/Tegel, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart) and from Zurich to the Mediterranean region and to the Canary Islands.
March 30, 2018
Ryanair Acquires 75 Percent of LaudaMotion
The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is paying 100 million euros for the share. Ryanair will initially take over 24.9 percent of Laudamotion and intends to increase it to 75 percent, subject to the approval of the EU competition authority. The airline founder will continue to be in charge.
March 20, 2018
TTTech Sets Up Joint Venture in Shanghai to Deploy Key Technology for Autonomous Driving Cars in China
The Vienna-based technology company TTTech and China's largest automotive group Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) announced a joint venture with the intention to produce an Intelligent Driving Central Controller (iECU), which will be installed on the first China-made intelligent driving vehicle later this year. TTTech holds 49.9 percent in the new joint venture.
March 15, 2018
Austrian Delegation Seeks to Improve Economic and Political Relations with Jordan
An official visit of President Van der Bellen to Jordan will take place from 17 April to 19 April 2018. The delegation to Amman will be accompanied by an economic mission headed by WKO Vice President Richard Schenz. The economic mission of the WKO is the response of an invitation issued some time ago by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom.
March 8, 2018
Mainland Chinese Billionaire Guo Guangchang to Take Over Austrian Asset Wolford AG
Shanghai based Fosun Group through its Hong Kong (Central) vehicle Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (Fosun) has taken over control of one of Austria's last remaining lingerie assets. According to Wolford, its new strategic core shareholder has agreed to pay at least €36M for a 50.87% majority stake in Wolford AG. Wolford has been struggling with management problems for some time. It also has been loss making for several years. Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Fosun International Limited (British Virgin Islands) is an investment holding company with interests in asset management and entertainment services. Fosun wants full control of the lingerie maker. Upon the closing of the share purchase agreement Fosun intends to launch a takeover offer to the remaining shareholders. Fosun was co-founded in 1992 by Fudan graduate Guo Guangchang who meanwhile became the 34th richest person in China with a net worth of €7 billion.
March 3, 2018
KTM to Manufacture Motorcycles in China
The Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM plans to produce motorcycles in China from 2020/21 as well. Currently KTM manufactures at the company headquarters in Upper Austria (Mattighofen), as well as together with the partner Bajaj in India (Pune).
February 23, 2018
Kapsch TrafficCom Not Affected by Polish Government's Cancellation of Tender for Nation-Wide Tolling System
Poland's government has cancelled the tender for a nation-wide tolling system, because the government intends to have the tolling system operated by its own government agencies. Kapsch TrafficCom confirms that its contract regarding the operation of the existing nation-wide tolling system is not affected by this.
January 22, 2018
New "Open Austria Initiative" Supposed to Open Doors to Silicon Valley
Foreign Ministry and Austrian Economic Chamber open joint office in California to support Austrian companies and pave their way for success in Silicon Valley.
July 14, 2016
Best Gaming Technology Acquired by Rival Playtech
Vienna-based maker of software for self-service betting terminals Best Gaming Technology (BGT) has been acquired by UK gambling software group Playtech for €138m. Playtech holds the option to purchase the remaining shares for up to €55m from Armin Sageder, the company’s founder and chief executive.
July 14, 2016
Vienna Insurance Group Buys AXA Subsidiaries in Serbia
Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) is acquiring AXA’s life and non-life companies in Serbia. The purchase will increase VIG’s market share in Serbia to around 11.5 percent.
July 7, 2016
RBI Closes Sale of Raiffeisen Banka in Slovenia
Following the completion of all regulatory requirements, Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) formally closed the sale of its Slovenian bank, Raiffeisen Banka d.d. The sales price will be kept confidential.
July 1, 2016
Closing of Visa Takeover Brings EUR 97 Million Pre-Tax Profit to RBI
The expected pretax profit from the cash payment of the transaction will be EUR 97 million. It should be booked under net income from financial investments in the second quarter of 2016. Visa Inc. had announced the takeover of Visa Europe Ltd. in November of 2015. The cash payment of this one-off effect will be split between Slovakia, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland, the RBI head office, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Zuno.
June 21, 2016
Novomatic Takeover of Australian Rival Delayed
The planned investment of the Lower-Austrian gambling group Novomatic in the Australian rival Ainsworth Game Technology has been delayed. Ainsworth will postpone general assembly scheduled for June 3 by up to 30 days. It is at the meeting that shareholders are supposed to approve the deal.
May 25, 2016
Linz-Based Unit of Bilfinger Delivers EUR 10 Mln Pipe System to Egypt
Bilfinger VAM, a Linz-based unit of German construction firm, will enjoy a capacity utilisation until autumn thanks to the contract for a pipe system in Egypt, the company said. The firm shares the EUR 10 million (USD 11.3 million) deal with another Bilfinger unit.
April 7, 2016
Voestalpine Acquires Specialty Steel Firms in Shanghai and Barcelona
Voestalpine steel buys two specialty steel firms. With the purchase of Advanced Tooling Tek (ATT) in Shanghai, China, and the Sermetal Group in Barcelona, Spain, Voestalpine is enhancing its position as a producer of special steels. Both companies are specialized in the processing and sale of special steel products for tool and mold-making, a segment whose main customers are the automotive and electronics industries. Together ATT and the Sermetal Group have around 160 employees and generated a total revenue of around EUR 43 million in 2015.
April 7, 2016
Austrian Airlines to Offer Flights to Hong Kong Starting September 5, 2016
AUA Austrian Airlines has signed an agreement with Hong Kong authorities to ad Hong Kong International Airport to its portfolio of long-haul destinations. AUA will fly up to 5 times a week to Hong Kong as of September 5, 2016. The direct link to Vienna will also be the gateway to Eastern Europe for the Hongkongese as well as the South-Chinese business community.
March 9, 2016
RBI Not to Sell Zuno Bank to ABH Holdings
The sale of Raiffeisen Bank International’s (RBI) direct bank Zuno to the Alfa Banking Group will not be concluded because ABH Holdings withdrew from the contract of sale.
March 1, 2016
Starwood Sells Hotel Imperial Vienna for EUR 71 Million
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that it has closed on the sale of Hotel Imperial Vienna, a Luxury Collection Hotel, to Al Habtoor Investment - the investment arm of UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group for 71 million euros. As part of the transaction, all rooms and suites of the iconic hotel will be renovated over the next four years. Hotel Imperial will continue to operate as part of The Luxury Collection brand under a new long-term management agreement.
February 26, 2016
Siemens Austria Builds World's Largest Metro Project in Saudi Arabia
The Austrian unit of Siemens announced in Vienna Simmering at the rollout of the first vehicle that a "a very, very big order” has been secured. With six lines and a total route length of 175 kilometers, the capital of Saudi Arabia Riyadh is planning the world's largest subway project. Siemens is to supply the entire turnkey system for two driverless metro lines.
February 24, 2016
Erste Group Provides Blackstone with a 5-Year EUR 91 Million Facility
Erste Group provides Blackstone with a 5-year EUR 91 million facility to acquire 12 logistics assets. The 265000 sqm portfolio covers 12 standing logistics investments located in Hungary (5), Romania (4), Poland (2) and Slovakia (1), as well as land reserves.
February 22, 2016
Czechs Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek Want to Take Control of Casinos Austria
The Czech consortium Austrian Gaming Holding (AGH) of billionaires Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek, headquartered in Prague may soon be new majority owner of Casinos Austria AG. According to the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), Austrian Gaming Holding intends to increase one hand its stake in Medial to 88.89 percent and on the other hand to acquire 16.79 percent of Casinos Austria AG shares. Through these acquisitions, AGH will hold directly or indirectly 50.82 percent of the shares and thus acquire sole control of the CASAG.
January 21, 2016
Strabag Builds Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bosnia-Herzegovina Worth € 57 Million
A consortium consisting of Austrian construction group Strabag and Croatian industrial company Končar has been awarded the contract to build the Vranduk power plant on the river Bosna on behalf of energy supply company JP Elektroprivreda BiH.
January 11, 2016
UniCredit Final Restructuring Program on Bank Austria's Retail Business
UniCredit announced a major step in its strategic plan execution, by launching a profound restructuring program on its Austrian retail business that will enable Bank Austria to develop its business in a sustainable way, while bringing down significantly its cost income ratio. The restructuring plan will allow to reduce by 2018 Bank Austria's overall costs by € 150mn per year on an ongoing basis on top of the Strategic Plan and with main focus on personnel expenses, leading to an overall cost decrease by almost € 300mn versus 2014 in order to ensure the business sustainability in the long-run.
December 15, 2015
RBI Sells Slovenian Subsidiary to US Private Equity Firm Apollo
Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) has reached an agreement to sell its Slovenian bank, Raiffeisen Banka d.d., to Biser Bidco, which is managed by an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, LLC. The purchase price has not been disclosed. The expected deconsolidation effect on RBI’s consolidated result will amount to minus EUR 49 million.
December 10, 2015
Constantia Flexibles Acquires SE Asian Labels Producer Pemara
Constantia Flexibles Group strengthens its position in the Southeast Asia labels market by acquiring the Australian company Pemara Labels Group. The parties agreed not to disclose any financial details and the transaction is expected to close in the next few months. Pemara operates four plants in Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, along with sales offices in Sydney (Australia) and Manila (Philippines).
December 1, 2015
Andritz Subsidiary Schuler Lands Large-Scale Contract in China
Schuler AG has received a further major order from FAW Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. The Chinese company ordered press line with ServoDirect Technology and a servo tryout press for its Qingdao facility. With a total force of 81,000 kilonewtons, the servo press line will be mainly used to produce car body parts, such as hoods or doors. The order value is in the middle double-digit-million-euro range.
November 30, 2015
EBRD to Become 30 Per Cent Shareholder in Raiffeisen Bank Aval
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is about to become a 30 per cent shareholder in Raiffeisen Bank Aval JSC (RBA), a leading universal bank in Ukraine and a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI), under an agreement signed in Kiev today.
November 25, 2015
Large Securitisation Deal between EIB and UniCredit Leasing Austria
EIB participates in securitisation transaction of UniCredit Leasing Austria with EUR 230.9 mil. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will make available EUR 230.9 million to UniCredit Leasing Austria through the purchase of asset-backed securities (ABS).
November 24, 2015
Hungarian Central Bank Buys Austria's 68.8% Stake in Budapest Stock Exchange
Austrian shareholders CEESEG and OeKB sell their 68.8% stake in Budapest Stock Exchange to Hungarian Central Bank for €42m ($45m), the Hungarian central bank confirmed officially.
November 24, 2015
Bank Austria Posts Net Profit of EUR 660 Million for the First Nine Months
UniCredit Bank Austria announced that net profit in the three months to end-September dropped to 172 million euros from 291 million in the previous three months. As reported, the bank plans to terminate up to 14,000 jobs and restructure or exit its retail business in Austria and leasing operations in Italy as it seeks to strengthen its equity.
November 11, 2015
UniCredit - Bank Austria: CEE Operations Move from Vienna to Milan - Retail Business to be Sold or Restructured
Until the end of 2016, all CEE interests with currently 48,000 employees have to be transferred to Milan. Until now this division has been the most important earner for Bank Austria. The 13 banking subsidiaries of Bank Austria in Eastern and Southeastern Europe employ nearly 48,000 people - and thus the majority of the approximately 57,000 employees of Bank Austria. The retail banking business of in Austria with 1.6 million customers has to be sold or restructured, Unicredit announced in the afternoon.
November 11, 2015
Tensions Prior to Announcement of the UniCredit Savings Plans
It is rumored that the groupwide reduction of up to 14,000 jobs will be announced today. It is also about the future of Bank Austria. Bank Austria's parent UniCredit may withdraw the group's CEE head office from Vienna.
November 11, 2015
VIG Completes Acquisition of Latvian Non-Life Insurer Baltikums AAS
Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has finalized the 100-percent acquisition of Riga-based Baltikums AAS. As a result of the acquisition, Vienna Insurance Group is now one of the top five insurers on the Latvian market.
October 27, 2015
Bank Austria Sells Prominent Property "The Mall" to Morgan Stanley Consortium
UniCredit Bank Austria AG announces that the purchase agreement for the shopping centre The Mall at Wien Mitte was signed with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), pending approval by the antitrust authorities.
October 22, 2015
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