SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION PLANNING

Christ & Heiri has extensive process knowledge as well as highly automated and modern machinery. Thanks to high quality and reliability as well as competitive prices, the company can successfully hold its own on the international market. The company's main sales markets are the automotive industry, where its geared parts are mainly installed in electric motors (including seat adjusters, door locks, windscreen adjusters, windscreen wipers, air-conditioning controls, tailgates, sunroofs), as well as medical technology, apparatus engineering and the watchmaking industry.

Christ & Heiri was founded over 60 years ago and is very successfully managed by Arno Heiri in the second generation. With the sale of the company, Arno Heiri is ensuring his succession at an early stage, whereby he will continue to be available to the company as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition to Mr. Arno Heiri and Marc Erni as representatives of Verium, the Board of Directors will also be strengthened by Dr. Rudolf Huber, Paul Häring and Peter Weigelt.

Olivier Brunner will take over the management of the company after the closing of the transaction. He has already been with the company for six years, is a member of the Executive Board and has been Arno Heiri's deputy for many years. Olivier Brunner will also take a stake in the company.

Arno Heiri: "I am convinced that I am passing my company on to good hands. With Verium, a long-term oriented owner has been found who will develop the company sustainably. Furthermore, in his new role as co-owner and CEO, Mr Brunner with his many years of experience guarantees the smooth continuation of the company."

Marc Erni: "It is a great pleasure for us to have won the trust of Mr. Heiri and Mr. Brunner and we are convinced that together we can successfully lead the company into the future. Christ & Heiri is a unique company that can continue to successfully hold its own in the market despite the current strength of the Swiss franc and an export share of around 70%."