EQS-News: MPC Capital announces a new strategic shareholder backing its growth ambitions 

Press release

MPC Capital announces a new strategic shareholder backing its growth ambitions 

• MPC Capital welcomes new strategic shareholder: Thalvora Holdings GmbH, a subsidiary of Castor Maritime Inc., a company led by Greek entrepreneur Petros Panagiotidis, acquires a majority stake in MPC Capital AG at EUR 7.00 per share.
• Strategy fully supported: New shareholder backs MPC Capital's management in executing its refined strategy and pursuing long-term growth in maritime and energy infrastructure.
• Investment agreement: Key principles of the new partnership agreed, including the operation as an independent company with headquarter in Hamburg and a continued listing on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
• New Supervisory Board with Ulf Holländer as Chairman.

Hamburg, 12 December 2024 – The investment and asset manager MPC Capital AG (Deutsche Börse, Scale, ISIN DE000A1TNWJ4) announces that the next phase of profitable growth will be backed by a new strategic shareholder.

MPC Capital partners with new strategic shareholder  

Thalvora Holdings GmbH (“Thalvora”) today signed an agreement with MPC Münchmeyer Petersen & Co. GmbH (“MPC Holding”), the founding shareholder and long-standing anchor shareholder of MPC Capital since 1994, on the acquisition of 74.09% of the shares in MPC Capital AG. Thalvora is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the NASDAQ-listed Castor Maritime Inc., which is led by its founder Petros Panagiotidis. Following this transaction, MPC Capital continues to have a strong anchor shareholder with a long-term interest, robust financial resources, as well as extensive industry and investment experience.

The shareholder transition comes at a time where MPC Capital embarks on a new phase of development, targeting continued profitable growth and building on its established track record as an investment manager and operator within maritime and energy infrastructure.

Constantin Baack, CEO of MPC Capital AG, comments: “MPC Capital has made remarkable progress over the recent years, establishing itself as a profitable and entrepreneurial investment and asset management company focused on maritime and energy projects. We have also built a thriving co-investment portfolio, reinforcing our growth trajectory. Our clear goal is to continue on the dynamic and profitable path. Over the past decades, MPC Capital AG strongly benefited from the partnership with MPC Holding. Building on this support, we now transition into a new chapter with Petros Panagiotidis as a new strategic anchor investor who supports the growth of our existing activities and established platforms.”

Dr. Axel Schroeder, Managing Partner of MPC Münchmeyer Petersen & Co. GmbH, says: “Since its foundation back in 1994, MPC Holding has been the entrepreneurial partner and strategic shareholder of MPC Capital through various phases of the company's development. MPC Capital is in a strong position both strategically and financially. The time is therefore right for a new anchor investor to step in and support the excellent growth prospects that lie ahead of MPC Capital. We are pleased to see that Petros Panagiotidis shares the strategic ambitions of MPC Capital's management and supports the entrepreneurial mindset that has made the company successful.”

Petros Panagiotidis, Founder and CEO of Castor Maritime Inc., highlights his long-term ambitions as MPC Capital's new anchor shareholder: “We are impressed by the strong track record of MPC Capital and we are convinced of the entrepreneurial execution capabilities as well as the dedicated management team behind the company. We support MPC Capital's strategic goals building on a strong market position. As the new strategic shareholder, we see significant potential in the future development of the company's investment and management platforms, which are highly complementary to our existing activities.”

Investment agreement defines key partnership principles and strategic ambitions

MPC Capital and its new strategic investor have entered into an agreement aimed at driving the Company's growth in developing and managing investment solutions within the maritime and energy infrastructure sectors.

The agreement reflects the full alignment of the new anchor shareholder with MPC Capital's current operational setup, headquartered in Hamburg, and strategic direction. Besides strategic and organizational aspects, the agreement includes other key principles, such as the continuation and strengthening of the listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

New Supervisory Board with Ulf Holländer as future Chairman

With the completion of the share acquisition, Dr. Axel Schroeder and Joachim Ludwig will step down from the Supervisory Board of MPC Capital.

In accordance with Section 104 of the German Stock Corporation (AktG), the Management Board of MPC Capital will submit a court application for the appointment of two new Supervisory Board members. These appointments will be effective until the Company's next ordinary Annual General Meeting. The Management Board will propose Mr. Petros Panagiotidis and Mr. Petros Zavakopoulos to be appointed to the Supervisory Board.

Ulf Holländer remains a Member of the Supervisory Board following the transaction and it is intended that he will take up the role as Chairman of the Supervisory Board once the Supervisory Board has been constituted. Ulf Holländer has been a member of the Supervisory Board since June 2024, following 24 years on the Management Board of MPC Capital, including 9 years as CEO.

The purchase price is EUR 7.00 per share. The closing of the share transaction is expected to take place in December 2024.

About MPC Capital (www.mpc-capital.com)

MPC Capital is a global investment and asset manager for infrastructure projects. In the areas of maritime and energy infrastructure, MPC Capital initiates and manages investment solutions for institutional investors. MPC Capital provides tailor-made investment structures, excellent project access and integrated asset management expertise. With 280 employees, the MPC Capital Group manages assets under management (AuM) of EUR 4.8 billion. As a responsible company that has been listed on the stock exchange since 2000, MPC Capital actively contributes to financing the investment needs to achieve global climate goals.

Contact

MPC Capital AG
Stefan Zenker
Head of Investor Relations & Public Relations
Tel. +49 (40) 380 22-4347
E-Mail: s.zenker@mpc-capital.com

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Future results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to various risk factors and uncertainties, such as changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties regarding litigation or investigations, and the availability of financing. MPC Capital AG assumes no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.