EQS-News: Voltabox Sets Course for Long-Term Stability with New Management Board and Fresh Capital, Laying the Foundation for a New Era

Voltabox Sets Course for Long-Term Stability with New Management Board and Fresh Capital, Laying the Foundation for a New Era

• Martin Hartmann appointed as CEO, Florian Seitz assumes role of CFO – Patrick Zabel steps down from Management Board as announced
• Injection of investment capital for implementation of long-term growth strategy – Framework agreement concluded to acquire EKM Elektronik GmbH
• New anchor shareholders signal strong commitment through substantial investment and aim for sustainable engagement
• Christian Maeder and Lutz Johannes Holkenbrink appointed as new members of the Supervisory Board

Paderborn, Germany, February 10, 2025 – The Supervisory Board of Voltabox AG (ISIN DE000A2E4LE9) today passed several resolutions for a strategic realignment of the company under a new, experienced leadership. Effective immediately, Martin Hartmann will serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Florian Seitz as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Voltabox AG. The previous sole member of the Management Board, Patrick Zabel, whose contract was set to expire by March 31, 2025, has been relieved of his duties by mutual agreement with the Supervisory Board and is leaving the company with immediate effect.

In this context, Voltabox AG’s previous majority shareholder, Triathlon Holding GmbH, is selling its 47.88% stake in the company. The new anchor shareholder will be JIAOGULAN Holding AG, a Liechtenstein-based investment firm, acquiring 28% of the company’s share capital. Additionally, the new management is making a significant investment in the company, underscoring their commitment to Voltabox’s future. Geraer Batterie-Dienst GmbH (GBD), an investment company controlled by Martin Hartmann, is acquiring a 12.88% stake in Voltabox AG, while FAS Beratung und Vermögensverwaltung GmbH, an investment company controlled by Florian Seitz, will take a 7% stake.

Over the past three decades, Martin Hartmann has led the Triathlon Group from a regional service and distribution company to one of Germany’s leading industrial battery manufacturers. In addition to managing the company's organic growth and establishing numerous new ventures within the organization, he has expanded the company through targeted acquisitions and the creation of a vertically integrated value chain. Recognizing the potential of emerging technologies and business models early on, he strategically aligned the company’s product portfolio toward future-oriented solutions. From 2016, he drove Triathlon’s international expansion, with the company ultimately employing approximately 1,600 people across three continents. In 2023, he sold his 100% stake in Triathlon Group to Sunlight Group and continued serving as Chief Commercial Officer until November 2024.

Florian Seitz joined the Triathlon Group in 2018 after serving as an external consultant to the company for several years. He played a key role in accelerating the company’s growth. As a member of the management team and CFO, he laid the foundation for the dynamic development of the Triathlon Group, driving revenue growth from approximately EUR 200 million to more than EUR 750 million. Beyond overseeing corporate finance strategy, group accounting, and controlling for more than 50 subsidiaries, he was instrumental in professionalizing key corporate functions.

Herbert Hilger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Voltabox AG, highlighted the significance of the new leadership appointments and their investments: “With Martin Hartmann and Florian Seitz, Voltabox gains an exceptionally experienced and dynamic leadership duo that has already worked together successfully in the past. They bring fresh perspectives and a clear strategic vision to position the company for the future. This decision is the best possible path for Voltabox to immediately stabilize financially and operationally, execute the necessary realignment, and secure long-term success. I have great confidence in their strategic foresight and executional strength and look forward to closely supporting them in implementing their plans for Voltabox.”

Voltabox AG will receive a subordinated loan in the double-digit million-euro range from Geraer Batterie-Dienst GmbH to implement a long-term, sustainable M&A growth strategy. The share purchase agreements executed in connection with the Triathlon Holding GmbH stake sale, are part of a framework agreement under which Voltabox AG – with the approval of the Supervisory Board – has committed to using part of the funds provided to acquire 99% of the shares in EKM Elektronik GmbH (EKM).

EKM is a specialist in electronics solutions for industrial and consumer applications, including medical and battery technology, energy storages, motorsports, and power electronics. Previously majority-owned by Triathlon Holding GmbH, EKM employs approximately 140 people. Since its founding in 2000, the company, headquartered in Zwönitz, Saxony, has grown into one of Germany’s leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers and operates a state-of-the-art production facility.

Martin Hartmann, CEO of Voltabox AG, stated: “Florian Seitz and I are excited about the opportunity to lead Voltabox into the future. We are confident that we can strategically expand the company’s business areas in the coming years, leveraging its strengths in electronics and battery technology. Our long-term plan includes targeted acquisitions of companies that complement Voltabox’s future business models, share our approach to entrepreneurial responsibility, and align with our corporate culture. We aim for a partnership-based integration that respects established structures and business models, fosters entrepreneurial thinking, and enables sustainable growth.”

In addition to focusing on its core competencies in battery management systems and intelligent solutions for industrial electromobility and energy technology, Voltabox plans to expand its business into the field of electronic solutions. Target industries include medical devices and technology, entertainment technology, and automation electronics for industrial applications.

In this context, the company intends to sell its “VoltaMobil” business unit to Triathlon Holding GmbH. Voltabox has bundled its high-voltage battery system business activities in this segment, focusing on development, project management, sales, and service. Key target markets included buses, construction and agricultural machinery, and light commercial vehicles. The sale is subject to the completion of the aforementioned transactions. The divestment of VoltaMobil assets is not part of the signed framework agreement and will be executed at a later date.

The Supervisory Board of Voltabox AG adopted these resolutions in its newly constituted form. Alongside Herbert Hilger, who remains Chairman, Christian Maeder and Lutz Johannes Holkenbrink now complete the company’s supervisory body. The appointments were made pursuant to Section 104 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) by the Local Court of Paderborn after previous Supervisory Board members Roland Mackert and Toni Junas resigned from their positions.

Commenting on the new Supervisory Board composition, Herbert Hilger stated: “I am pleased to welcome Christian Maeder and Lutz Holkenbrink, two individuals with extensive experience and expertise, to the Supervisory Board of Voltabox AG. They bring invaluable insights and unique perspectives on business development. Their contributions will be instrumental in future decisions and resolutions.”

In its first meeting following the appointments, the Supervisory Board elected Christian Maeder as Deputy Chairman. Since 2018, he has been a lawyer and tax advisor at Reichlin Hess AG, a business and tax law firm in Zug, Switzerland. He became a partner in 2019. Christian Maeder earned a law degree from the University of Zurich in 2007, was admitted to the bar in 2012, and later joined Ernst & Young AG in Zurich in the “International Tax Services” division. He became a certified tax expert in 2016. Today, he specializes in national and international tax law and has expertise in accounting.

Also joining the Supervisory Board is Lutz Johannes Holkenbrink, an industry expert in the battery and electronics sector. The electrical and electronics engineer (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover) has held leadership positions in the battery industry for over 30 years. After serving in senior roles at DETA Akkumulatorenwerk GmbH and Exide Technologies, Lutz Holkenbrink joined the management team of Triathlon Group’s cebalog GmbH in 2009. At the end of 2021, he handed over his position as planned. After that, he served as an advisor to the Triathlon Group for another two years.
 

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About Voltabox AG

Voltabox AG (ISIN DE000A2E4LE9), which is listed on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of Deutsche Börse AG in Frankfurt am Main, is a technology-driven provider of electronic and e-mobility solutions. Its core business includes electronic components and entire modules used in both industrial and consumer applications, as well as lithium-ion battery systems for construction and agricultural equipment and for electric and hybrid buses. Voltabox is also active in the field of infrastructure-based energy generation through its subsidiary GreenCluster GmbH. Further information is available at www.voltabox.ag/en.

Media & Capital Markets Contact

Voltabox AG
Stefan Westemeyer
Technologiepark 32
33100 Paderborn
Phone: +49 160 951 287 54
Email: investor@voltabox.ag