With the takeover of 100% of wastewater treatment technology company INNOTERV of Hungary, CHRIST subsidiary Aqua Engineering GmbH, Mondsee, steps up its municipal water business in Central and Eastern Europe. “The acquisition of INNOTERV improves our growth perspectives in Hungary as we take advantage of the imminent catching-up in sewage disposal“, comments Aqua Engineering managing director Dr. Hannes Laimer.
The Budapest based company focuses on the local Hungarian market with a staff of roughly 80 people and sales of around € 8mn in 2005. The order backlog amounted to € 16mn at June 30, 2006. Planned to break even this year, INNOTERV should be earnings enhancing as of 2007 for CHRIST.
Originally operative in the construction of the Hungarian gas distribution system, the company entered the wastewater technology market in 1995 designing and constructing local sewage water plants including operation. In doing so, INNOTERV established excellent, long-term contacts to municipalities and gained experience in operating wastewater and drinking water works which will be valuable assets for Aqua Engineering.
Hungary plans to continue its sewage water system in mid to small sized municipalities in particular over the next years providing further growth opportunities for INNOTERV/Aqua Engineering. Moreover, the acquisition represents an excellent platform for additional water business in neighbouring regions.
Contact:
Christ Water Technology AG, A-5310 Mondsee, Walter-Simmer-Str. 4
Karl Michael Millauer, CEO, P. +43 61 7558 537
Hannes Laimer, Head of Business Unit Municipal Water Treatment, P. + 43 6232 7722 1700
Ralf Burchert, CEFA, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
P. +43 6232 5011 1113, Fax +43 6232 5011 1109, E-Mail: ralf.burchert@christ-water.com