[IN]SIDE
News from the holding company
THREE QUESTIONS FOR THE NEW MEMBER OF THE INDUS BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
You joined INDUS in October 2023. What first attracted you to the Group? What do you bring to the Board?
For as long as I can remember, I have had huge respect for and fascination with entrepreneurs. At the beginning of my career, I worked for successful entrepreneurs, founded companies myself and developed and restructured them. I have also invested in companies, integrated them and managed investment portfolios. The typical SME mindset of taking responsibility and going your own way has always reflected my own. Over the course of my career in the corporate world, I’ve come to appreciate methods and tools that focus on the customer, and that also help companies to improve and make product and process innovations. From there to INDUS it was just a small step, because SME hidden champions in particular are characterized by a high level of adaptability, professional structures and customer-orientation – regardless of the business model. Taking responsibility and striving to do something better tomorrow than you did today with methodological support from the Group is also a core part of how INDUS operates. I also have experience in product and component manufacturing, materials and construction technology, which cover the three segments of the INDUS Group almost exactly. So you might say INDUS is a perfect match for me with my experiences, mindset and interests.
You’ve been getting to know the Group very well in recent months. Can you summarize what INDUS represents to you?
Since October, I have been on the road almost constantly, finding out how the portfolio companies in my segment, Materials, operate. You can really only find out what makes them tick by visiting them on site. I was particularly impressed with their drive to make a difference and the level of identification with the companies, which only comes from a positive corporate culture that allows people to make mistakes. With the courage to be proactive, we can make the most of scarce resources – and this encourages people to try new things, develop innovations and tap into new markets.
How would you describe yourself as a manager? What is important to you in collaboration?
Being a successful entrepreneur means reflecting on your own performance, being open for new things and being curious. You have to be very frank and willing to learn from others. Today’s world is too complex for one person alone to be able to manage everything. Good management to me therefore is to really see people for who they are – and finding solutions together as equals. I personally prefer to look at the big picture and look for patterns. I would say I’m a numbers person and an analyzer. At the same time, working with people energizes me. And with all that I’m looking to identify potential for improvement, shape growth, learn new things and create new things together with the team at INDUS.
Working with people energizes me.«
Gudrun Degenhart,
Vorständin
Facts
Gudrun Degenhart has more than 20 years’ experience in managing and developing portfolio companies in Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. Before joining INDUS, Ms. Degenhart was the CEO of the German portfolio companies of the internal service group ISS A/S. Before that, she held several positions in the thyssenkrupp Group, including CEO of an international business unit for specialized elevators and CEO Materials Western Europe and Asia Pacific. Before she moved to thyssenkrupp, Gudrun Degenhart was a member of the Board of Management at Schöck AG, a construction technology company. The business administration graduate began her career by establishing Central and Eastern European subsidiaries for the Lindner Group, a construction specialist.
MAKING NEW CONTACTS AT THE INDUS ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE
43 portfolio companies with approx. 9,000 employees worldwide – that’s around 180 individual companies in 29 countries. All are included in the INDUS consolidated financial statements, in forward-looking overall planning and a sustainable corporate strategy. Only a virtually unspoken understanding between the commercial managers of the individual companies and the holding companies makes this possible. In addition to largely automated processes, INDUS encourages direct communication in the Group. Since 2018 the commercial experts have been getting together at the annual business conference to discuss changes in accounting, reporting obligations or tax law and vote on detailed annual plans or the financial statements, planning and financing processes – and to gain a better understanding of the holding company’s strategic initiatives. Another focal point is determining what the requirements of the capital market mean for the SME industry. Because the increasing governance, risk and compliance and sustainability regulations pose considerable challenges for the individual companies. Another important factor is the networking between the commercial managers during the event and the presentation of best-practice projects from the portfolio companies. The INDUS commercial managers last met in Cologne on September 7, 2023. And the next conference is already being planned.
IN CLOS CONTACT: INDUS AND THE CAPITAL MARKET
As a listed company, personal contact with the capital market is vital for INDUS. Direct contact with INDUS is essential for investors and other shareholders in making well-informed decisions – and INDUS appreciates the external input. To enable this dialogue, INDUS took part in six roadshows, six conferences and a number of investor forums in 2023. In total, the Board of Management and the Investor Relations team spoke with around 50 investors and numerous private shareholders in person. In addition there is of course the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, where the Group’s shareholders come together to pass resolutions on important issues. The 2023 Annual Meeting of INDUS Shareholders was held in person again for the first time in three years. This was a good opportunity to share information, have discussions and make decisions – but most importantly of all to catch up with each other.
Another highlight in the event calendar in 2023 was the first INDUS Capital Markets Day (CMD) in the Cologne Sports Museum. The Board of Management informed investors, analysts and bank representatives of the company’s performance. The INDUS Board of Management also took this chance to present the PARKOUR perform strategy update and answer any questions in an informal setting. This direct dialogue with the capital market is especially important in times of change, because only transparent communication can create trust. And that is vital if we want to start down new paths together.
We’re really committed to holding our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in person and creating the opportunity for direct communication with our shareholders. We will continue to aim for this format in the future, too.”
Dr. Johannes Schmidt
JUST IN CASE: CYBERSECURITY IN THE INDUS GROUP
With the increase in interconnectivity and use of IT in work processes and production, the topic of cybersecurity has never been more important. IT security is assigned to risk management at INDUS and implemented throughout the Group with an extensive package of measures. This includes monitoring and penetration testing performed at regular intervals with external service providers, both in the portfolio companies and in the holding company. INDUS also offers employees online awareness training and workshops with external experts. These structured measures to ensure IT safety are important elements in creating a foundation for Group-wide cybersecurity. Our portfolio companies are covered by insurance protection because they are part of the INDUS Group. In light of the high requirements that the insurers have, this would otherwise be difficult for SMEs to obtain. A clear advantage in the competition for new orders.