MAX Automation Bundle
Who Owns MAX Automation SE?
Understanding MAX Automation SE's ownership is key to grasping its strategic path and influences. A major step was its IPO in May 1994, transitioning from private to public ownership on key German stock exchanges.
This German industrial holding company, founded in 1990, focuses on industrial automation and environmental tech. Its strategy involves acquiring and managing majority stakes in specialized medium-sized firms.
Who holds the reins at MAX Automation SE?
Who Founded MAX Automation?
MAX Automation SE, originally established as M.A.X. Holding Aktiengesellschaft in Munich in 1990, has a history that also points to an earlier founding by Irene Scheidweiler in 1969, with its headquarters then in Bad Marienberg, Germany. While the precise initial equity distribution and the full identities of all founding members are not widely detailed, the company's trajectory is significantly shaped by its 1990 incorporation as a holding entity.
Founding Year Discrepancy
MAX Automation SE's establishment is cited as 1990 in Munich, but Irene Scheidweiler is noted as a founder from 1969 in Bad Marienberg. This suggests a potential earlier origin or a restructuring event.
Early Ownership Information
Specific details regarding early notable backers and their exact stakes in the company are not extensively available in public records.
Growth Strategy
From its early stages, the company pursued a strategy of acquiring stakes in medium-sized enterprises, focusing on growth through mergers and acquisitions.
Key Early Acquisitions
Significant early acquisitions included NSM Magnettechnik GmbH in 1996 and IWM Automation GmbH in 1998, demonstrating its M&A-focused approach.
Founding Vision
The founding team's vision centered on industrial automation and environmental technology, which remain the company's core business areas.
Public Listing Context
The company's current structure and public listing history are largely attributed to its establishment as a holding company in 1990.
The foundational strategy of MAX Automation SE involved building its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, a model that has defined its corporate development. This approach to growth, focusing on integrating other businesses, has been central to its expansion and market presence in industrial automation and environmental technology sectors. Understanding this early M&A activity is key to grasping the company's evolution and Revenue Streams & Business Model of MAX Automation.
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How Has MAX Automation’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
MAX Automation SE's journey as a publicly traded entity began in May 1994 with its IPO, marking a significant step in its ownership evolution. Subsequent listings in the General Standard and Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange further shaped its market presence.
| Shareholder Type | Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Günther Group | 66.00% | Primary controlling entity |
| LOYS Investment | 5.10% | Major institutional shareholder |
| Baden-Württembergische Versorgungsanstalt | 5.00% | Major institutional shareholder |
| Werner Weber | 4.20% | Individual shareholder |
| Individual Investors (Collective) | 75.18% | |
| Institutional Investors (Collective) | 18.59% | |
| Unknown Ownership | 6.23% | |
| German Shareholders | 11.78% | Geographic breakdown |
| Luxembourg Shareholders | 6.81% | Geographic breakdown |
The acquisition of the AIM Group in 2013 was a pivotal moment, introducing the Günther Group as a substantial anchor shareholder with an initial 29.9% voting share. This strategic move has solidified the Günther Group's position as the MAX Automation company owner, now holding a commanding 66.00% of shares as of July 2025. This concentration of ownership significantly influences the company's strategic direction and corporate governance, aligning with its operational model as a financial and investment holding company focused on niche market growth.
Understanding MAX Automation's Ownership Structure
The ownership landscape of MAX Automation SE has seen considerable evolution, with a clear shift towards concentrated control by a single major shareholder.
- MAX Automation SE became publicly traded in 1994.
- The Günther Group is the current majority shareholder with 66.00% of shares.
- Individual investors collectively hold a significant portion of the company's stock.
- Understanding who owns MAX Automation is key to analyzing its strategic decisions and future direction.
- For a deeper dive into the company's market positioning, explore the Target Market of MAX Automation.
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Who Sits on MAX Automation’s Board?
MAX Automation SE operates under a monistic corporate structure, featuring a single board responsible for both management and oversight. The Supervisory Board is key to the company's governance, working closely with management while prioritizing shareholder and employee interests, ensuring accountability and transparency in corporate decisions.
| Supervisory Board Member | Position | Key Affiliations/Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Guido Mundt | Chairman | |
| Oliver Jaster | Deputy Chairman | Voting rights attributed from LS Digital & Management Services GmbH & Co. KG and Orpheus Capital II GmbH & Co. KG via Günther SE and Günther Holding SE. |
| Dr. Wolfgang Hanrieder | Member | |
| Karoline Kalb | Member |
Oliver Jaster's position as Deputy Chairman is particularly significant, as he represents substantial voting power derived from major shareholdings through the Günther Group. This direct representation on the board underscores the influence of key shareholders on the company's strategic direction. The voting power within MAX Automation SE generally follows a one-share-one-vote principle, with no indications of special rights affecting control. Shareholders registered in the share register are entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise their voting rights, reflecting a commitment to established corporate governance practices aligned with the German Corporate Governance Code.
Understanding MAX Automation's Board and Voting Power
The structure of MAX Automation SE's board and its voting power are crucial for understanding who owns MAX Automation and how decisions are made. The company adheres to principles designed to foster investor confidence.
- Monistic board structure for integrated management and supervision.
- Supervisory Board ensures cooperation, responsibility, and transparency.
- Key shareholders, like the Günther Group, have direct board representation.
- Adherence to the one-share-one-vote principle for equitable voting rights.
- Commitment to the German Corporate Governance Code for enhanced trust.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped MAX Automation’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the last three to five years, MAX Automation SE has actively reshaped its ownership and strategic focus. A significant move was the planned sale of MA micro Group, anticipated to finalize in the latter half of 2024. The proceeds from this divestment are earmarked for reducing the company's financial liabilities through partial repayment of its syndicated loan, thereby strengthening its capital structure and equity ratio, which stood at a robust 54.6% by the end of 2024.
| Financial Metric | December 31, 2024 | December 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Ratio | 54.6% | N/A |
| Net Debt | EUR 58.2 million | EUR 111.8 million |
The company has navigated a challenging economic landscape, prompting adjustments to its 2025 financial projections as of July 15, 2025. The sales forecast for 2025 has been revised downwards to a range of EUR 300 million to EUR 340 million, from the earlier projection of EUR 340 million to EUR 400 million. Similarly, the EBITDA forecast has been adjusted to EUR 12 million to EUR 18 million, a decrease from the previous EUR 21 million to EUR 28 million. These revisions are largely attributed to softer and delayed order intake in the first half of 2025, influenced by broader macroeconomic trends, US customs policies, and project postponements, particularly within the automotive and environmental technology sectors. Despite these headwinds, order intake for continuing operations saw a positive uptick of 5.7% in the first half of 2025, reaching EUR 176.5 million compared to EUR 166.9 million in the same period of 2024. The order backlog also experienced growth, increasing by 13.3% to EUR 174.8 million as of June 30, 2025, up from EUR 154.3 million at the close of 2024.
Strategic Focus on Growth Markets
The company's overarching strategy remains centered on expanding its diversified portfolio in high-growth niche markets. This expansion is pursued through both organic growth initiatives and strategic inorganic acquisitions.
Financial Stability and Cash Management
A paramount objective for 2025 is ensuring group stability. This is being achieved through a rigorous focus on cash management and prudent financial planning.
Addressing Market Challenges
The company is actively managing the impact of macroeconomic factors and specific policy influences on its order intake. This includes adapting to shifts in customer demand and project timelines.
Strengthening the Balance Sheet
The sale of non-core assets and the subsequent debt reduction are key components of strengthening the company's financial foundation. This improves the overall capital structure and enhances financial flexibility.
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