Voestalpine’s Strategic Shift Advances with Latest Divestiture

Voestalpine AT0000937503

The Austrian steel and technology group Voestalpine is making steady progress in reshaping its business portfolio. A key milestone was reached in late January with the finalized agreement to sell its subsidiary, voestalpine BÖHLER Profil GmbH, to the U.S.-based industrial process technology firm Kadant Inc. This transaction marks another strategic move within the realignment of Voestalpine's High Performance Metals Division.

The sale involves the complete transfer of the Bruckbach production site, including its workforce of approximately 150 employees, to Kadant. BÖHLER Profil manufactures specialized profiles for industrial blades and other applications—a business Voestalpine has determined no longer aligns with its core strategic focus due to its distinct structure and sales channels.

Transaction Details:

• The entire Bruckbach facility will be taken over by Kadant.
• All 150 employees are expected to be retained.
• BÖHLER Profil generated revenue of €51.5 million in the 2024/25 financial year.
• Closure of the deal is scheduled for the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
• The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Restructuring Nears Completion

Voestalpine views the divestment of BÖHLER Profil, following the earlier sale of Buderus Edelstahl, as largely concluding the restructuring of its High Performance Metals Division. The group's strategy is centered on concentrating its operations around core competencies.

This portfolio adjustment does not alter the company's outlook for the current 2025/26 financial year. Management continues to anticipate an EBITDA in the range of €1.40 billion to €1.55 billion. For the first half of the year, the company reported a decline in revenue to €7.59 billion (down from €8.04 billion in the prior-year period). However, operating profit (EBIT) saw a modest increase to €345.3 million, and earnings per share advanced from €0.94 to €1.14.

Upcoming Quarterly Report in Focus

Investor attention now turns to February 11, when Voestalpine is set to release its quarterly results for the third quarter. These figures will provide a crucial gauge of the company's operational performance amidst ongoing pressures facing the European steel industry. The report will indicate how effectively Voestalpine is navigating the challenging market environment and whether its restructuring efforts are beginning to yield tangible benefits.