DGAP-News: GFT Technologies AG / Key word(s): Acquisition GFT Technologies AG: GFT acquires Italian IT consultancy Sempla 30.05.2013 / 19:50 --------------------------------------------------------------------- GFT acquires Italian IT consultancy Sempla Acquisition strengthens GFT as leading IT partner for banks in Europe Stuttgart, 30 May 2013 - GFT Technologies AG today concluded a purchase agreement via its subsidiary GFT Holding Italy S.r.l. regarding the acquisition of an 80-percent stake in Sempla S.r.l., based in Italy. The remaining 20 percent shall remain mainly with Sempla's management and can be acquired by GFT via options after a five-year period. The purchase price is to be paid from liquid funds. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price amount. Sempla is one of Italy's leading IT consultancies, specialising particularly in IT solutions for commercial and private banking clients. Its offering comprises IT Services, Business Solutions and Digital Marketing & Design. With 460 employees at ten sites in Italy, the company generated revenues of over EUR 44 million in 2012 - 70 percent thereof with financial sector customers. In its financial year 2012, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 6.17 million with earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 4.08 million. 'Sempla's portfolio fits excellently with our own products in the GFT Solutions division,' states Ulrich Dietz, GFT's CEO. 'We see numerous interesting business opportunities with attractive clients. Together, we will become a leading supplier of IT solutions for financial service providers on the European market.' The acquisition will benefit both sides: whereas GFT can contribute its extensive know-how in the field of investment banking to the Italian market, Sempla has proven expertise in the general banking sector. This know-how offers GFT clear growth opportunities with existing and new clients. GFT believes its entry into the Italian market will provide an extra boost to business. 'Italy is one of the world's largest economic nations. Establishing a presence on Europe's fourth-largest IT market with almost 500 employees is a further important milestone for us. Sempla is the perfect fit for our business,' says Dietz. GFT already serves individual clients today in Italy but has so far coordinated these activities from its facility in Spain. GFT expects the acquisition to add around EUR 23 million to revenues and EUR 3.50 million to EBITDA in the second half of 2013. As a result, the GFT Group's projected revenues for financial year 2013 will rise to around EUR 260 million. The acquisition also raises the GFT Group's headcount to almost 2,000 persons. 'The takeover of Sempla gives a further boost to our encouraging business development and represents a major milestone in the Group's growth strategy,' concludes Dietz. Conference call on the acquisition GFT invites interested journalists to participate in a conference call (in German language) taking place on Friday, 31 May 2013, starting at 9:30 a.m.. The respective dial-in number and the presentation can be found online at www.gft.com/sempla. About GFT: As a strategic technology partner based in Germany, the GFT Group helps companies optimise their business processes by providing intelligent IT solutions and highly skilled specialists. GFT is one of the world's leading IT solution suppliers for the finance sector. Under the motto 'inspiring IT', GFT enables financial institutes to quickly and securely utilise modern technologies. GFT combines established technological experience with comprehensive industry expertise in order to develop, implement and maintain customized IT solutions. With its subsidiary emagine, the GFT Group enables companies in selected growth sectors to quickly and flexibly staff their technology projects. emagine combines comprehensive business understanding with established technological know-how. Moreover, emagine has an international network of highly qualified IT and engineering specialists. For over 25 years, the GFT Group has stood for technological expertise, innovative strength and outstanding quality. Founded in 1987 by its current CEO, Ulrich Dietz, GFT achieved consolidated revenue of around EUR 231 million in 2012. The GFT Group is represented in seven countries by its 22 local facilities. A global team of around 1,400 employees and 1,000 external consultants (as of 31 December 2012) implement complex IT projects across various countries. The GFT share is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Prime Standard: WKN 580 060). Contact: Andrea Wlcek, Director of Global Marketing, Media & Investor Relations GFT Technologies AG Filderhauptstr. 142 70599 Stuttgart Germany T +49 711 62042-440 F +49 711 62042-301 [email protected] www.gft.com End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 30.05.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: GFT Technologies AG Filderhauptstr. 142 70599 Stuttgart Germany Phone: +49 (0)711/62042-0 Fax: +49 (0)711/62042-301 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.gft.com ISIN: DE0005800601 WKN: 580060 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 213819 30.05.2013