Threatened with break-up?
On Monday afternoon, Thyssenkrupp announced plans for thestrategic realignment of the Group. At the same time, rumors of a break-up began to circulate in the business community and the media.
According to the press release issued by the long-established industrial company, the Executive Board of Thyssenkrupp AG believes it has made significant progress in developing a strategic target concept for the future direction of the Group as a whole. The Executive Board intends to present its intentions to the Supervisory Board before the end of this year.
According to the press release, the Executive Board's considerations include in particular the gradual spin-off of all Thyssenkrupp divisions and opening them up to third-party participation. For example, the spin-off of a minority stake in Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has already been initiated.
Planned independence of Automotive Technology
In the coming years, the aim is to make the Material Services and Automotive Technology segments capital market-ready, among other things. These segments will then become independent in due course.
There are also plans to make the Decarbon Technologies segment independent. This area of thyssenkrupp is still relatively young. According to the press release, the markets for green technologies will continue to develop before this segment becomes independent.
Increasing the value creation potential
According to the press release, the overall plan is to form Thyssenkrupp AG into a strategic group management company with independent companies.
Miguel López, CEO of thyssenkrupp AG, explains: "With the strategic realignment of thyssenkrupp we are resolutely continuing on our chosen course. The future independence of our current segments - with the advantage of their own capital market access and the possibility of third-party participation - will increase their entrepreneurial flexibility, strengthen their investment plans and profit responsibility and improve transparency for investors."
Such a step would enable the full value creation potential of the businesses to be leveraged and their independence to be used in a targeted manner for investments, market opportunities and further growth.