Philion SE acquires stake in DEINHANDY to implement unique omni-channel strategy: Building up one of the top 3 network-independent mobile services providers in Germany

DGAP-News: Philion SE / Key word(s): Investment

15.11.2018 / 08:20
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


Philion SE acquires stake in DEINHANDY to implement unique omni-channel strategy
Building up one of the top 3 network-independent mobile services providers in Germany

- DEINHANDY is the fastest growing online shops for telecommunications in Germany

- The present shareholders (Robert Ermich and einsAmobile) will stay on board

- Number of stores across Germany to be doubled to about 300 by the end of 2019

- Close cooperation with the Swiss mobilezone Group

Berlin, 15 November 2018: Philion SE (ISIN: DE000A1X3WF3) has set itself a clear objective, i.e. to take advantage of the transformation in the German telecommunications market to create one of the three leading network-independent providers of mobile communications services. Philion's investment in DEINHANDY, a leading online shop for mobile communications and digital life, marks the company's entry into the e-commerce market and takes it a significant step closer to achieving this objective. For this purpose, Philion acquires a stake in Mister Mobile GmbH, DEINHANDY's parent company. DEINHANDY is one of the fastest growing e-commerce platforms in Germany.

The Philion Group already comprises Fexcom GmbH, the largest independent chain store operator in the German telecommunications market, which currently runs 167 stores throughout Germany. That number is to be almost doubled to about 300 by the end of 2019. This will create a unique network-independent mobile services provider under the umbrella of Philion, which combines online and offline commerce to offer the best of both worlds in the telecommunications sector. Within this omni-channel strategy, customers will experience a unique world of mobile telephony, smart home and IoT (Internet of Things) products under the well-known DEINHANDY brand.

"The German telecommunications market is changing. Old distribution structures are breaking up, which creates unique opportunities. We want to seize these opportunities, set new standards in the industry as an innovative new force with an experienced management team and quickly become a top player," says René Schuster, Chairman of the Board of Philion SE. "We will inspire our customers with an unlimited 360-degree experience. No matter whether they prefer to shop online or visit our physical stores - they can look forward to innovative products and competent advice."

"This is a welcome new step for us. Now that we have put the brand in a strong position in the online market, the physical stores will give us much greater reach and confidence as well as access to a new group of customers," says Robert Ermich, co-founder and Managing Director of Mister Mobile GmbH (DEINHANDY).

In the context of the transaction, aptus, the majority shareholder of Philion SE, will initially acquire a 30% stake from einsAmobile, the current majority shareholder of Mister Mobile GmbH. This stake will then be integrated into Philion over the next months without issuing further Philion shares.

The einsAmobile Group (einsAmobile, TPHCom and Mister Mobile) is owned by the Swiss mobilezone Group. mobilezone (ISIN: CH0276837694) is the leading independent telecommunications specialist in the Swiss mobile and fixed telephony market (2017 revenues: CHF 1.2 billion) and will keep a 45% stake. Co-founder Robert Ermich holds the remaining 25% and will continue to serve as Managing Director. Philion and the mobilezone Group intend to cooperate also beyond the DEINHANDY partnership going forward.

Date note: Philion will present on 28.11.2018 at the German Equity Forum (Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum) in Frankfurt/Main

Contact:
Philion SE // www.philion.de // M: info@philion.de

Investor Relations & Press
Fabian Lorenz // T: +49 221 29 83 15 88 // M: ir@philion.de

About Mister Mobile GmbH
Mister Mobile was established in summer 2014 by Robert Ermich and einsAmobile as an independent online platform (DEINHANDY brand) for smartphones, tablet computers and rate plans. Today, DEINHANDY is one of the market-leading telecommunications portals and offers customers not only the right products and services but also extensive information about the digital world in its own blog and social media channels. The Berlin-based company combines the advantages of a comparison portfolio with the expertise of a specialist retailer and offers devices in all price classes with matching rate plans for any requirement. The aim of DEINHANDY is to find a customised service for every visitor. The portfolio of the mobile telephony specialist is rounded off by all-in services for contract changes and mobile phone insurance as well as the return of used devices.

About Philion SE
Led by Board Chairman René Schuster (former CEO of Telefonica Germany), the management team of Philion SE looks back on decades of experience in the international telecommunications market and has set itself a clear objective, i.e. to build up a leading network-independent service provider for all digital telecommunications products with the help of an effective buy-and-build strategy. In this context, Philion acts as a listed holding company and pursues an omni-channel strategy for its subsidiaries to combine the advantages of online commerce with the benefits of personal in-store service. The first step within this strategy was the takeover of Fexcom GmbH at the turn of 2017/18. This first operating subsidiary was established in 1993, today employs 450 employees in 167 mobile phone stores across Germany and generated revenues of approx. EUR 52 million in 2017.

About mobilezone
Revenues of CHF 1,172 million and a consolidated profit of CHF 35.2 million in 2017 make mobilezone holding ag (ticker symbol SIX: MOZN) the leading independent Swiss and German telecommunications specialist. Established in 1999, the mobilezone Group employs about 900 employees in Rotkreuz (CH), Urnäsch (CH) , Zweidlen (CH), Vienna (A), Obertshausen (D), Berlin (D) and Münster (D). The product and service portfolio comprises a full range of mobile phones and rate plans for mobile and fixed telephony, digital TV and Internet of the major providers. The portfolio is complemented by advice and services for private and business customers, repair services, wholesale activities as well as deliveries to specialist retailers. The products and services are available in 123 company-managed stores in Switzerland and 65 Ashop locations in Germany (partner shops) as well as through various web portals.

Disclaimer
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. There will be no public offering of securities of Philion SE. This announcement does not constitute a securities prospectus. This announcement and the information contained therein are not intended for direct or indirect distribution in or within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.



15.11.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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