Robot manufacturers – Kuka takeover – 49 percent would be okay – Süddeutsche.de

Chinese investor apparently wants no majority to Kuka robots. Thus, a compromise would initiate in the dispute over the company as a technology leader.

The Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea is apparently moving away from the planned majority takeover of the German robot manufacturer Kuka. The reports the Handelsblatt , citing government sources. The company had therefore not signaled to want to keep more than 49 percent of the shares in Kuka. Moreover, it should continue to be a “strong German anchor shareholder”.

Currently, the Swabian industrial group Voith holds 25.1 percent of Kuka. Midea owns 13.5 percent of the shares. In mid-May, the Chinese company had offered 115 euros per share. € 4.6 billion would be the Augsburg-based company therefore worth -. A very high offer

In the federal government on the other hand suggested resistance, Kuka finally is a pioneer company in the industry 4.0 and this is very important for the German economy. In no case Berlin would miss the connection with the second wave of digitization, such as the Internet, which was founded boom has largely taken place in Silicon Valley. Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) and his secretary telephoned why in recent weeks, the European industry from to organize a counter-offer for Kuka. Siemens, and the auto industry from said.

It is not clear now, in which companies it could be about the possibly future anchor shareholder. Whether it is the recent Investor Voith, declined to comment on a company spokesman. Two options were still possible: In the first scenario would retain the plant manufacturer Voith, his proportions. would technically difficult because, however, that there are currently nearly 52 percent of the shares on the open market. Since Midea already holds 13.5 percent, the Chinese company should buy only 35.5 percent. But what happens to the remaining 16 percent? Voith or other shareholders would have to make an offer for the remaining shares.

A second option would be that Voith decides to completely get out and instead another German company Voith shares and the remaining difference accepts.