Heidenheim/Augsburg. Voith GmbH today notified KUKA Aktiengesellschaft that, by way of shares as well as financial instruments partly pending antitrust approval, it has attained 25.1 percent of the voting rights in the company. The majority of the shares acquired come from the previous major shareholder Grenzebach. It has been agreed to maintain confidentiality regarding the details of the transaction.

Headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, the KUKA Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of robots as well as automated production systems and solutions. KUKA’s customers are predominantly in the automotive industry. The KUKA Group draws on its expertise gained in over 30 years working with the automotive industry to develop innovative automation solutions also for other segments, such as medical technology and the aerospace industry. The company has shown strong and profitable growth in recent years. In 2013 KUKA generated consolidated sales revenues of some EUR 1.8 billion and EBIT of around EUR 120 million.

The stake in KUKA AG represents a strategic investment for Voith. Computerization and automation will fundamentally change industrial production processes in the years ahead. Robots are the key component in tomorrow’s digitized industry and thus in the Industry 4.0 megatrend.

Voith President and CEO Dr. Hubert Lienhard explained: “KUKA is focused on mechanics, electronics, sensor systems and software and is superbly positioned for Industry 4.0 with its highly specialized automation expertise. This makes it an ideal, forward-looking investment for us. Voith supports KUKA’s proven strategy and has confidence in the people who have played a major part in its exceptionally successful development in past years. With our 25.1 percent stake in KUKA AG, our goal as a family business is to be a stable anchor shareholder with a long-term focus. We will support KUKA and its workforce in a spirit of partnership.”

Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 43,000 people, generates EUR 5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.