Buy-outs come to Babelsberg

Article Abstract:

The Babelsberg district of Potsdam is the setting of one of the earliest of 1,800 management buy-out (MBO) privatizations in east Germany. Haus-und Versorgungs-Technik (HVT) was purchased by managing director Otto Bertz and 24 of his co-workers for 2.7 million German marks in Jan 1991. The buy-out was funded mostly through a loan from the IKB-Bank. HVT below-management employees joined the buy-out, each investing at least 10,000 German marks, after management-level officials refused to participate in the deal. Bertz, faced with the challenge of changing the company's communist-era structure of top-heavy management and predominance of non-core function workers, streamlined the administration by employing a greater number of skilled laborers. Although 1991 profit reached to a mere 300,000 German marks only, Bertz is optimistic that it will go up as a result of significant growth in the construction industry.

Water, sewer, and utility lines, Refrigeration and heating equipment, Plumbing and Heating, Except Electric, Plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, Electrical industrial apparatus, not elsewhere classified, Electrical equipment and supplies industry, Electric equipment industry, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Privatization, Privatization (Business), Management buyouts, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, HVAC industry, Plumbing industry, Haus-und Versorgungs-Technik

---

Germany's deals on wheels

Article Abstract:

Germany is in the process of disposing millions of tons of military equipment and vehicles. The Peenemunde airbase on the Baltic coast is full of trucks, Jeeps, tankers and other vehicles that once belonged to the East German National People's Army, which are now all for sale. The German army has left the business of selling these military vehicles to government-controlled companies Vebeg and MDSG. These two firms are extremely careful about what they selland to whom. Vebeg and MDSG do not sell any item with aggressive military potential. All hardware put up for sale are also divested of radio systems or other remaining military technology. The companies likewise restrict the sale of military vehicles or equipment to German nationals and had banned any sale to Yugoslavia. All other military hardware not put on sale are either destroyed or given away for 'humanitarian or social purposes.'

Marketing, Military policy, Military vehicles, Vehicles, Military, Surplus military property

---

Fired by success

Article Abstract:

Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, which is owned by the Free State of Saxony, is one east German company that is proving to be a success after the reunification of Germany. Meissen, a manufacturer of fine porcelain, uses hand manufacturing techniques for producing its products. On average, orders take two years to fulfill, and the lack of machine production techniques limits the firm's output. The firm cannot easily increase the number of its workers, since it takes four years to train an apprentice. Management, led by Managing Dir Hannes Walter, has opted for the installation of new ovens for firing the porcelain in order to reduce cracking. In addition, the firm has streamlined management, enhanced its marketing and distribution, and contracted out for nonessential services such as catering and cleaning.

Management, Corporations, Saxony, Germany, Ceramic industry, Corporations, German, Walter, Hannes, Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The germ of an idea. How the land lies. Goode intentions
• Abstracts: Enter, son of Walkman: mobile phones. Germany's herr handy
• Abstracts: Out of Africa. Jet set on the rails. Meeting mothers halfway
• Abstracts: Buyers' market. Belgium's strong drinks. Taking the road to Japan
• Abstracts: New dreams for old. Bourses, boardrooms and Babylon. Disciples of the new age

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.