Juni 27, 2003

Staufen Invest acquires HARTMANN subsidiary J.H. Ziegler
HARTMANN focuses on its core operations of health-care and well-being - new owner Staufen Invest seeks long-term expansion
Heidenheim/Bad Boll - On July 1, 2003, Staufen Invest Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH which is headquartered in Bad Boll, acquired J.H. Ziegler & Co. KG - to date a wholly-owned subsidiary of HARTMANN. With a payroll of around 90, the Achern-based company makes non-woven products, above all for upholstery and vehicles. The transaction has no impact on the local employees.

Ziegler generated sales of some 10 million Euro with technical non-woven products in 2002. The products are employed in the vehicle, construction, plastics and furniture industry, as well as in the electronics and clothing sectors. The new owner plans to expand Ziegler's supply business with the automobile and furniture industry. "Ziegler makes an ideal addition to our investment portfolio. We are increasingly focusing on systems suppliers, and want to step up such investment activities," says Matthias Feil, Staufen Invest's managing director, by way of explaining the company's future plans.

In future, Ziegler will continue to manufacture products for HARTMANN - primarily Plaster of Paris pads and retractable covers. "As a customer we can continue to rely on Ziegler's high-quality products," emphasizes Ulrich Hemel, CEO of PAUL HARTMANN AG. "But," Hemel continues, "since only a few of Ziegler's products are amongst HARTMANN's core range, it would not make sense for us to retain our shares in the company. Naturally, we are pleased that in Staufen Invest we have found an investor who will particularly advance Ziegler's operations in the technological field."