Strabag strikes: 100 million euros for EVN's environmental daughter WTE!

Strabag strikes: 100 million euros for EVN's environmental daughter WTE!

Niederösterreich, Österreich - The Lower Austrian provider EVN has made the sales decision of his subsidiary Wassertechnik GmbH (WTE) and sold it to the construction group Strabag. The message about the sale was announced on Wednesday evening. The purchase price for the takeover is 100 million euros, with Strabag also taking over a shareholder loan. EVN and Strabag already agreed on the cornerstones of the sale in December 2024, and now the purchase contract has been signed. However, the final handling of the transaction is still subject to antitrust approval and is expected to be concluded within six months, such as OE24.

Wasserechnik GmbH is active in the area of ​​waste management and environmental technology, which plays a crucial role in the current strategic realignment of EVN. The international project business of WTE was profitable and contributed around 10% to the group sales, which contributed between 10 and 20 million euros to the operating result (EBIT). Despite these positive aspects, international projects are usually associated with risks, especially since they have to be pre -financed. The hedge fund Petrus Advisors had even demanded to divide WTE to minimize the risks for EVN, as well as ORF

strategic realignment

The sale of WTE is part of a more comprehensive strategic realignment of EVN. Strabag, on the other hand, plans to strengthen its market position in the area of ​​water infrastructure through this acquisition and to act as a complete provider. The decision to sell WTE could help EVN to concentrate on its core competencies and at the same time reduce the financial risks associated with the company in international project business.

The takeover of existing companies is one, as the Kern company succession notes, frequently chosen strategy in medium-sized companies. The purchase of a proven business model offers advantages such as lower risk and willingness to exist on existing market relationships. Companies like WTE are particularly attractive because they have existing structures and permits.

outlook for the future

Due to the acquisition of WTE, Strabag not only positions itself as a competitor in the water infrastructure market, but also uses opportunities that arise from the takeover and the associated synergies. The transition is expected for 2024, and both Strabag and EVN look optimistically into the future. The next steps in this process include the legal aspects of the transaction as well as ensuring employee integrity and motivation during and after the takeover.