22.05.2024 17:11:24 - dpa-AFX: EQS-News: Annual Meeting of INDUS Shareholders focuses on scope for growth (english)

Annual Meeting of INDUS Shareholders focuses on scope for growth

EQS-News: INDUS Holding AG / Key word(s): AGM/EGM
Annual Meeting of INDUS Shareholders focuses on scope for growth

22.05.2024 / 17:10 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Annual Meeting of INDUS Shareholders focuses on scope for growth

* Dividend payment of EUR 1.20 per share resolved

* All agenda items adopted by a large majority

Bergisch Gladbach, 22 May 2024 - At today's Annual Shareholders' Meeting of
INDUS Holding AG at Koelnmesse's Congress Centre North, a large majority of
the shareholders approved all proposals made by the management for all
voting items on the agenda. The attending shareholders represented around 54
percent of the registered share capital. This year, the Annual Shareholders'
Meeting was held as a physical meeting again.

In his speech, Dr. Johannes Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of Management of
INDUS Holding AG, emphasized the SME Group's great scope for growth,
especially in fields that will be important in the future: "We're closely
analyzing what the market will need in the future. Let's take artificial
intelligence for example: AI will permanently change all the processes at
our portfolio companies. Our task is to invest wisely and to identify and
implement the right applications." INDUS supports its portfolio companies
with an AI initiative that includes both training programs and development
funds for specific AI projects. GESTALT AUTOMATION, a specialist in
AI-supported automation solutions for industrial applications, became part
of the INDUS Group in March 2024.

Growth through future-oriented acquisitions and internationalization

In addition to the acquisition of GESTALT AUTOMATION, INDUS has added two
further promising acquisitions to its portfolio since the beginning of the
year. GRIDCOM, a specialist for passive fiber-optic infrastructure
components, and COLSON X-Cel, a manufacturer of industrial valves for
measurement and control engineering, are successful niche providers in
markets of the future. Together with QUICK Bauprodukte, a specialist in
formwork and reinforcement accessories, particularly for bridge
construction, the latest acquisitions presented themselves to the
shareholders at an accompanying exhibition. INDUS plans to continue growing
in 2024. "It is a good time to buy companies," said Schmidt. "We haven't
seen such a wealth of interesting projects for some time. And hidden
champions in future fields can be had for a reasonable price again."

In his speech, Schmidt also emphasized internationalization as an important
factor in the development of the INDUS portfolio companies: "We're currently
witnessing an increasing decoupling of the major power and economic blocks.
That means it is all the more important for our portfolio companies to
establish a local presence in the markets that are interesting for them,
always with a 'local-for-local' approach."

He clearly criticized the current burden placed on companies by increasing
regulation and bureaucracy in Germany and the EU: "I fully support the aims
of these reporting obligations. But we would prefer to focus on the actual
implementation of measures rather than on excessive reporting. It is my hope
that a greater measure of common sense will return to politics, both at the
European and German level. This unabated regulation frenzy does not create
competitive advantages - as is claimed - but definitely competitive
disadvantages."

INDUS remains a reliable dividend stock

The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board had proposed the payment
of a significantly higher dividend of EUR 1.20 per eligible share than in
the previous year (EUR 0.80). This corresponds to a dividend yield of 5.4%
(previous year: 3.6%). In the financial year 2023, the INDUS portfolio
companies increased their operating income (EBIT) to EUR 149.6 million
(previous year: EUR 133.7 million) despite difficult economic conditions.
The Annual Shareholders' Meeting approved the dividend proposal by a large
majority. It was thus resolved to distribute a total amount of around EUR
31.0 million (previous year: EUR 21.5 million). "Following the restraint of
recent years - with good reason - we are once again demonstrating that we
are an attractive dividend stock," said Schmidt.

The actions of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board were fully
approved and PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH, Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft,
Frankfurt am Main, was reappointed as auditor of the separate financial
statements and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year
2024. The Annual Shareholders' Meeting also approved the compensation report
for the financial year 2023 and adopted an amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation regarding the future compensation of the Supervisory Board
members. A further amendment to the Articles of Incorporation regarding the
right to participate in the Annual Shareholders' Meeting was necessary due
to a change in the law: The record date for proof of share ownership now
relates to the close of business on the 22nd day prior to the Annual
Shareholders' Meeting rather than the beginning of the 21st day as
previously. The Annual Shareholders' Meeting approved the conclusion of a
control and profit and loss transfer agreement between INDUS Holding AG and
INDUS Omega GmbH.

For further information on the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, the speech by
the Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Johannes Schmidt, and the
voting results, click here.

About INDUS Holding AG:

Established in 1989 and headquartered in Bergisch Gladbach, INDUS Holding AG
is a leading specialist for sustainable corporate development in the
German-speaking SME sector. INDUS acquires two to three technology-oriented
and promising industrial engineering companies for the Engineering,
Infrastructure, and Materials segments annually. As a value-driven
investment company with a clear focus on defined growth topics, INDUS
provides its 44 operationally independent portfolio companies with active,
long-term support in their corporate development, especially in the fields
of innovation, market excellence, operational excellence, and
sustainability. SDAX-listed INDUS Holding AG has been included in the Prime
Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DE0006200108) since 1995. INDUS
generated sales of around 1.8 billion euros in 2023. For more information,
visit www.indus.de.

Note:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management
of INDUS Holding AG and comprise known and unknown risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in such statements. INDUS Holding AG assumes
no obligation to update forward-looking statements.



Contact:
Nina Wolf & Dafne Sanac
Public Relations & Investor Relations

INDUS Holding AG
Kölner Straße 32
51429 Bergisch Gladbach
Germany

Tel +49 (0) 022 04 / 40 00-73
Tel +49 (0) 022 04 / 40 00-32
E-mail presse@indus.de
E-mail investor.relations@indus.de
www.indus.de/en/


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22.05.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS
News - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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   Language:       English
   Company:        INDUS Holding AG
                   Kölner Straße 32
                   51429 Bergisch Gladbach
                   Germany
   Phone:          +49 (0)2204 40 00-0
   Fax:            +49 (0)2204 40 00-20
   E-mail:         indus@indus.de
   Internet:       www.indus.de
   ISIN:           DE0006200108
   WKN:            620010
   Indices:        SDAX
   Listed:         Regulated Market in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime
                   Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin,
                   Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate
                   Exchange; Vienna Stock Exchange
   EQS News ID:    1909079




End of News EQS News Service
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1909079 22.05.2024 CET/CEST
Name WKN Börse Kurs Datum/Zeit Diff. Diff. % Geld Brief Erster Schluss
INDUS HOLDING AG 620010 Frankfurt 24,650 14.06.24 17:36:53 -0,750 -2,95% 0,000 0,000 25,000 24,650

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