029 Group SE

M&A Activity • Nov 29, 2001

News Details

Ad-hoc | 29 November 2001 17:03

SAP Systems Integr. AG english

SAP SI acquires majority share in beverage industry IT specialist Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– SAP Systems Integration AG (SAP SI) will acquire COPA GmbH, Wesel, Germany. The takeover is subject to the approval of the German Federal Antitrust Commission. The international IT consulting enterprise has been providing solutions in the beverage industry for some 20 years. As an SAP partner, COPA GmbH has been involved in designing and developing the mySAP.com solution for this sector. Together, SAP SI and COPA GmbH aim to provide the beverage sector in Germany and abroad with effective end-to-end support for the implementation and integration of SAP solutions. SAP SI and COPA GmbH will focus their search for new customers on large companies involved in brewing, soft drinks manufacturing and bottling, and drinks wholesaling. SAP SI is only acquiring that part of COPA GmbH’s business which relates to SAP solutions and software. Other COPA GmbH operations, which focus on providing services to mid-size-companies, are being spun-off and relaunched in December 2001 as COPA Systeme GmbH. This will remain in the hands of COPA’s original shareholders. COPA Systeme GmbH will concentrate on development, maintenance and support of the company’s own IT solution, which has been installed at over 600 small and mid-size beverage enterprises. Following the spin-off of COPA Systeme GmbH, COPA GmbH will focus exclusively on SAP-related business. SAP SI will acquire COPA GmbH in three stages: Already this year SAP SI will purchase the 25.1 percent of COPA GmbH owned by SAP AG since 2000. On January 1, 2002, SAP SI will acquire 25.0 percent held by COPA’s Managing Director Bernhard Fölting. On January 1, 2003, SAP SI will purchase the remaining 49.9 percent. Both parties have agreed not to reveal the price of the transaction. Following the spin-off the company’s SAP-related business will employ a staff of around 120 persons (pro forma). For fiscal 2001 (up to December 31, 2001), pro forma revenue is expected to be between 18 and 19 million euros. The pro forma operating profit margin will lie between four and five percent. Further information: SAP SI AG: Ulrich Assmann, member of the Executive Board +49 351 4811-301 Stephan Kahlhöfer, Investor Relations +49 351 4811-160 investor@sap-si.com COPA GmbH: Bernhard Fölting, Managing Director +49 281 154-131 end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 29.11.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 501 111; Index: Nemax 50 Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart 291703 Nov 01