P R E S S  R E L E A S E

Francotyp-Postalia (FP) is further strengthening its franking and inserting business field by acquiring HEFTER Systemform. The company is thus continuing to implement the ACT strategy and is further expanding the product range in its traditional business.

Berlin, 13.02.2020 - Francotyp-Postalia (FP), the expert in secure digital communication (ISIN DE000FPH9000), is taking over the entire business operations of HEFTER Systemform GmbH, based in Prien am Chiemsee/ Germany, as part of an asset deal, effective February 12, 2020. The company has been selling mail processing machines such as inserting and folding machines for around 50 years and offers full services for European customers.

FP is taking over the well-known brand name and 28 employees. The products will continue to be sold under the HEFTER Systemform brand. The company generates annual sales of around 6 million euros, a large part of which is in Germany, and will make a positive contribution to FP Group earnings. HEFTER Systemform is known in the industry for its high level of quality and service, which will be guaranteed in the future. The HEFTER service centres in Germany will therefore continue to operate.

"Franking and inserting is part of our core business. We can look back on almost 100 years of experience in this business field. HEFTER Systemform has a large number of renowned customers and very good sales structures. By acquiring these valuable assets, we are further expanding our market position, particularly in Germany, as part of our successful ACT strategy," explains FP CEO Rüdiger Andreas Günther.

Expansion of the core business
In the financial year 2018, a total revenue of EUR 204.2 million was generated, of which EUR 127.3 million was generated in the Franking and Inserting business field. In 2019, FP already generated revenue of 98.3 million euros here in the first three quarters of 2019. Since the implementation of ACT in 2016, the FP Group has successfully outperformed competition and is continuously increasing its market share. The global FP market share now stands at around 12.0%. FP is showing a positive development, particularly in Germany and the strategically important foreign markets of the USA and France.

FP Chief Sales Officer Patricius de Gruyter says: "Local service is important. Customers trust in high-quality solutions and outstanding service. The purchase of HEFTER Systemform is a small, but ideal acquisition to further improve our position. We also see high synergies and further potential in the area of service and sales."

50 years of experience
HEFTER Systemform, based in Prien am Chiemsee (Germany) in Upper Bavaria, has been a specialist in the optimization of post, mailing and print finishing for over 50 years. The product range includes inserting machines and systems, folding machines, automatic letter openers, letter closing machines, brochure production, creasing and perforating machines, numbering machines, business card and digital print cutters and document shredders.

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About Francotyp-Postalia:

The international, listed FP Group with headquarters in Berlin, Germany, is an expert in secure mailing business and secure digital communication processes (FP = "secure digital communication"). As market leader in Germany and Austria, the FP Group offers digital solutions for companies and authorities as well as products and services for efficient mail processing and the consolidation of business mail in the "Software/Digital", "Franking and Inserting" and "Mail Services" segments. The Group generated revenue of more than EUR 200 million in 2018. FP has subsidiaries based in ten different countries and is represented by its own trading network in an additional 40 countries. With a company history spanning more than 97 years, FP possesses a unique DNA in the areas of actuating elements, sensor systems, cryptography and connectivity. FP has a twelve percent share in the global market for franking systems. In the digital sector, it offers unique, highly secure solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT/IIoT) and for signing documents digitally.