CERTINA Group acquires 65% in MOBOTIX AG
Konica Minolta has announced the sale of its entire 65% stake in MOBOTIX, along with all associated shareholder loans, to Certina Software Investments AG, a subsidiary of the Munich-based family equity investor Certina Group. The Certina Software Division, part of Certina Group, specializes in the development and expansion of technology-driven businesses worldwide.
As part of the agreement, Certina has committed to maintaining an investment credit line of €53.2 million, which will extend through March 2026. The purchase price has not been disclosed, including to the company itself. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur in May 2025, subject to customary antitrust clearance.
Strategic Acquisition
The divestment is part of Konica Minolta’s medium-term plan to divest from non-core businesses and focus on its core business areas globally, as outlined in a recent statement. Konica Minolta’s Imaging-IoT Solutions business will continue to provide highly value-added video solution services, with a focus on security and safety.
“The acquisition of MOBOTIX is a strategic step to further strengthen our software investments and underlines our long-term growth ambitions in our Group,” comments Tobias Eiblmeier, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at the Certina Group.
Giovanni Santamaria, Managing Partner of Certina’s Software division, also comments on the acquisition:
“We are excited to bring MOBOTIX into our portfolio, as we firmly believe our strategic expertise and commitment to innovation provide the best home for its future. By leveraging synergies with our existing technology investments, we are committed to supporting MOBOTIX’s next phase of growth and market leadership,” said Giovanni Santamaria, Managing Partner of Certina’s Software division.
New board to come, CTO and CFO remain the same
It is anticipated that all current members of the supervisory board of MOBOTIX will resign upon the closing of the transaction. Certina intends to ensure appropriate representation on the Supervisory Board of MOBOTIX AG.
Additionally, key leadership updates include that Klaus Kiener (CFO) and Christian Cabirol (CTO) have extended their contracts until March 2027, ensuring continuity in financial and technological leadership.
Thomas Lausten leaves MOBOTIX
Thomas Lausten, the CEO, will leave MOBOTIX by mutual agreement at the end of his current contract in June 2025, collaborating closely with the new leadership team to facilitate a smooth transition.
“It has been a pleasure to work with our many colleagues, partners, and customers around the world during the past eight years, and it is now a good time to change leadership with a new investor,” states Thomas Lausten.
“Certina will bring significant value to our company with their experience in technology companies, and I look forward to working with Giovanni Santamaria, Tobias Eiblmeier, and their teams during the transition in the coming months,” he concludes.
Certina Group preuzima 65% dionica MOBOTIX-a
Konica Minolta prodaje 65 posto udjela u MOBOTIX AG-u kompaniji Certina Software Investments, koja je podružnica Certina Grupe, minhenske porodične investicijske grupacije. Softverska divizija u Certina Grupi specijalizirana je za razvoj i širenje tehnoloških poslova širom svijeta.
Prema ugovoru, Certina se obavezala da će zadržati investicijsku kreditnu liniju od 53,2 miliona eura, koja će se produžiti do marta 2026. godine. Cijena kupovine nije objavljena. Zatvaranje transakcije očekuje se u maju 2025. godine po dobijanju standardne antimonopolske saglasnosti.
Strateška akvizicija
Divesticija je dio srednjoročnog plana kompanije Konica Minolte da se povuče iz neosnovnih djelatnosti i globalno se fokusira na svoje temeljne poslovne oblasti, navedeno je u saopćenju. Poslovanje Konica Minolte u oblasti imaging-IoT rješenja nastavit će pružati napredne usluge u sferi videorješenja, s fokusom na sigurnost i zaštitu.
“Akvizicija MOBOTIX-a strateški je korak za jačanje naših ulaganja u softver i naglašava naše dugoročne ambicije za rast unutar grupacije”, navodi Tobias Eiblmeier, šef za spajanja i akvizicije u Certina Grupi.
Giovanni Santamaria, menadžer softverske divizije u Certini, također komentira akviziciju: “Radujemo se što ćemo MOBOTIX uvrstiti u naš portfolio jer čvrsto vjerujemo da naša stručna znanja i posvećenost inovacijama nude najbolji okvir za budućnost. Uz sinergiju s našim postojećim ulaganjima u tehnologiju, ostajemo posvećeni podršci novoj fazi rasta MOBOTIX-a i liderstva na tržištu”, kaže Santamaria.
Novo rukovodstvo, stari CTO i CFO
Očekuje se da će svi postojeći članovi Nadzornog odbora MOBOTIX-a podnijeti ostavku po zatvaranju transakcije. Certina će imati odgovarajuće predstavnike u Nadzornom odboru MOBOTIX AG-a.
Dodatne promjene u rukovodstvu uključuju produženje ugovora za direktora finansija Klausa Kienera i tehničkog direktora Christiana Cabirola do marta 2027. godine, što će osigurati kontinuitet rada finansijskog i tehnološkog rukovodstva.
Thomas Lausten napušta MOBOTIX
Thomas Lausten, generalni direktor MOBOTIX-a, sporazumno će napustiti kompaniju po isteku trenutnog ugovora u junu 2025. godine. U međuvremenu će sarađivati s novim rukovodećim timom kako bi olakšao proces tranzicije.
“Bilo mi je zadovoljstvo raditi s našim kolegama, partnerima i kupcima širom svijeta tokom proteklih osam godina. Sada je pravo vrijeme za promjenu rukovodstva s novim investitorom”, kaže Lausten.
“Certina će sa svojim iskustvom u tehnološkim kompanijama donijeti značajnu vrijednost našoj organizaciji, a ja se radujem prilici za saradnju s Giovannijem Santamarijom, Tobiasom Eiblmeierom i njihovim timovima tokom prijelaznog perioda u mjesecima pred nama”, navodi on.
