The relevant purchase agreement was signed today, December 23rd, successfully completing the transaction. The transfer of ownership to SteelCo GmbH takes effect today. Frauenthal Automotive produces metal press and welded components (Frauenthal Gnotec) and compressed air tanks (Frauenthal Airtank) at six locations in four European countries (Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Czechia), one in China, and one in the USA. In 2024, the division generated sales of MEUR 207.3 with around 1,000 employees, and in the first half of 2025, sales of MEUR 110.6. The companies belonging to the Automotive Division will no longer be consolidated in the Frauenthal Group's consolidated financial statements with immediate effect, although the 2025 annual result is expected to be negatively impacted by MEUR 40 to 45. The Group's equity ratio is expected to improve by around 2 to 3 percentage points as a result of the deconsolidation of the Automotive Division.
SteelCo GmbH is a platform investment of RCP Group GmbH, Munich, (“RCP”) and holds stakes in companies with plants in Germany, Hungary, and Belgium, which are primarily active in metal processing. Taking the transaction into account, SteelCo GmbH will generate annualized sales of approximately MEUR 345.

Daniel Karsch, Investment Manager at RCP, emphasizes: "With the acquisition of Frauenthal Automotive, we are expanding and diversifying our industrial base in metal processing. Together with our STEELCO.TECH platform, we see considerable growth, efficiency, and synergy potential—particularly due to an overlapping technology portfolio and a complementary customer and supplier base. Our initial focus is on a smooth transition and continuity for customers and employees, followed by the gradual and structured realization of growth potential.“
”After thoroughly reviewing various options, we are convinced that SteelCo GmbH is ideally suited to fully exploit the long-term potential of Frauenthal Automotive and thus ensure continuity. As a metal processing company operating in the automotive industry, the new size will result in a wide range of synergies and market opportunities," explains Erika Hochrieser, member of the Executive Board of Frauenthal Holding AG.

Frauenthal Holding AG was advised on this transaction by Oberhammer Rechtsanwälte (legal) and Clearwater (M&A).
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About the Frauenthal Group:
The Frauenthal Group, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, is a conglomerate with two divisions, Frauenthal Automotive and Frauenthal Handel, and generated sales of MEUR 1,014.3 in 2024. Frauenthal Handel has a market-leading position in Austria and consists of the sanitary, heating, and installation technology wholesalers SHT and ÖAG, the piping, civil engineering, and electrical specialist Kontinentale, the online electrical wholesaler ELEKTROMATERIAL.AT, and the logistics and service partner Frauenthal Handel. The Frauenthal Group employed an average of 2,583 people in 2024.

About SteelCo GmbH:
SteelCo GmbH focuses on metalworking companies in the automotive industry and other industries. Through its STEELCO.TECH platform, the group of companies offers services in the areas of punching, pressing, deep drawing, forming, and welding, as well as related engineering and industrialization services for various industrial sectors. STEELCO.TECH is a supplier to well-known OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers and has industrial expertise along the entire value chain – from development and series production to process optimization. SteelCo GmbH is a portfolio company of RCP Group GmbH, Munich, a family-run investor specializing in investments in special and transitional situations, particularly complex carve-out transactions.