BayWa AG has completed the sale of its 47.53% stake in RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft (RWA AG), following approval from antitrust and investment control authorities in seven countries. The transaction, initially announced on December 27, 2024, involved the transfer of the stake to an affiliated company of RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Handel und Vermögensverwaltung eGen (RWA eGen). RWA eGen, which already holds 49.99% of RWA AG and a majority stake in Raiffeisen Agrar Invest AG (RAIG), has consolidated its ownership through this acquisition. The agreed purchase price was €176 million.
The sale is part of BayWa AG's broader restructuring strategy, which aims to streamline its organizational structure, reduce operational costs, and divest major international shareholdings. The company plans to focus on its core business areas, including agriculture, building materials, agricultural equipment, heating energy, and mobility. The proceeds from the sale will be used to enhance liquidity for ongoing business operations, with the restructuring process expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
According to BayWa, the sale of RWA shares will also reduce the group's bank liabilities by over €500 million. This is part of the company's efforts to improve financial stability and optimize its business focus. The transformation plan includes maintaining strong operations in core sectors while divesting non-essential international holdings.
RWA operates as a producer, service provider, and retailer in sectors such as agriculture, technology, energy, building materials, and home & garden. It also serves as the umbrella organization for Austrian Lagerhaus cooperatives, providing a range of services in these areas. In addition to its domestic operations, RWA has holdings and subsidiaries in Austria and selected Eastern European countries. The strategic alliance between BayWa AG and RWA dates back to 1999 and has been maintained through a cross-shareholding structure.
For more information:
Dr. Frank Herkenhoff
BayWa AG
Tel: +49 89922 23680
Email: [email protected]
www.baywa.com