News

26 February 2008, DEWI Beteiligungs GmbH, an 87.5% subsidiary of GCI Management AG, Munich (ISIN DE0005855183), has taken over 100 % of Wilisch & Sohn GmbH, Ans-bach, and Wilisch Hungaroplast Kft, Sümeg, Hungary. 12.5 % of the shares in DEWI are held by the former shareholders Dr. Dekorsy and Dr. Wilisch. The enterprises are jointly involved in the spheres of mould-building, plastics injection moulding, industrial paintwork and laser technology, and produce high-quality systems for the automobile industry, in particular operating panels for air-conditioning, navigation and radio equipment.

The traditional firm Wilisch & Sohn was founded in 1805 as a factory for coloured paper and first started plastics processing in 1959, which swiftly replaced the production of paper and cardboard as its core business. Today, Wilisch & Sohn numbers amongst the leading manufacturers in the sphere of operating panels, and supplies all renowned auto-mobile manufacturers. The company employs around 450 staff and generated a turnover of approx. EUR 34 million in 2006.

This means that, following the takeover of the Dekorsky Group, DEWI Beteiligungs GmbH has increased its turnover in this sphere to well beyond EUR 60 million. The aim is to strengthen the Group’s productivity in relation to its customers and to become even more competitive by realising synergy potentials. The growth course which has been charted in this way will be continued further by both organic growth and through further strategic acquisitions which are currently being investigated.

In addition to the activities of DEWI Beteiligungs GmbH described above, GCI Automotive Holding GmbH was also founded. Further participations in the automobile supply industry, which will be financed by a capital increase of GCI Management AG with ACP Capital Ltd., are intended to be collected together under this single roof in future. The conclusion of the transaction announced in the course of the capital increase is anticipated soon. Together with the investments already made, the transaction will constitute the core
investment in the automotive segment.

Background:

GCI Management AG, Munich, is a stock-listed management and investment company with the three business divisions management consultancy, private equity and financial services. In line with its growth strategy, GCI Management acquires majority holdings with a high potential for value enhancement and focuses on the areas of industry, financial services and real estate.