Germany's federal government buys back Bundesdruckerei

Agreement on the buy-back of Bundesdruckerei notarised in Berlin

Berlin, 6 March 2009 - The notarisation of the buy-back by the federal government marks the successful completion of the reorganisation and sale of Bundesdruckerei GmbH. Around eight years after Bundesdruckerei was privatised, the federal government is now once again the sole shareholder, thus reflecting the changed security interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. The company's status under private law, however, remains completely unchanged.

As sole shareholder, the federal government will replace the previous owners, partners of the international firm of Clifford Chance and a Frankfurt-based business consultant. They had taken over the group, which at the time was running at a loss and threatened by insolvency during the economic slump that hit the IT and telecommunications market in 2002. The company subsequently underwent fundamental and successful restructuring and reorganisation measures. Today, Bundesdruckerei records sustainable profits and is an international pioneer in the fields of ID technology and banknote printing. The company's short-term plans include investments in the order of more than 100 million euro in new production facilities in Berlin; a move that is triggered by the growing importance of ID business. Rothschild GmbH advised the seller in this transaction. 

Information about Bundesdruckerei
Bundesdruckerei GmbH Berlin is one of the world's leading companies engaged in developing and supplying systems solutions and services for secure identification. In addition to passport and ID-card systems, the company offers ID documents, high-security cards, document checking devices, security software along with trust center services to national and international customers. Bundesdruckerei GmbH also produces banknotes, postage and revenue stamps as well as electronic publications. With its subsidiaries BIS Bundesdruckerei International Services GmbH, D-TRUST GmbH and iNCO Sp. z o.o., Bundesdruckerei employs a staff of around 1, 500 worldwide. The company generated revenue of EUR 303 million in the 2007 financial year.
For further details, please visit our website at www.bundesdruckerei.de.

Contact:
Antonia Voerste
Head of Corporate Communications
Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Tel: + 49 (0) 30-25 98-28 00
Fax: + 49 (0) 30-25 98-28 08
Email: antonia.voerste@bdr.de