3U HOLDING AG brings the financial year 2024 to a successful close – medium-term growth ambitions intact

3U HOLDING AG brings the financial year 2024 to a successful close – medium-term growth ambitions intact

• Preliminary figures show revenue growth of 6.5 % to EUR 55.8 million
• EBITDA margin of 6.8 % significantly exceeds the forecast corridor
• Outlook for 2025: ongoing expansion anticipated in a challenging market environment – strategic measures aimed at accelerating sales and earnings growth as from 2026

Marburg, 12 March 2025 – 3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902; identifier: UUU) has today submitted the preliminary results for the financial year 2024 and the outlook for the company in 2025. Accordingly, 3U significantly exceeded its forecast for the year, adjusted in October 2024, in the reporting year, especially in terms of earnings. The company anticipates further growth in the current financial year despite the persistent uncertainty prevailing in the environment. At the same time, the Group intends to set about rigorously implementing the necessary measures under its MISSION 2026+ growth strategy to sharpen its competitive edge in the segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology) and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) and to forge ahead with expanding its electricity generating capacities in the Renewable Energies segment.

Based on the preliminary unaudited figures, 3U HOLDING AG raised its consolidated revenue by 6.5 % to EUR 55.8 million in the financial year 2024 (previous year: EUR 52.4 million), which was slightly higher than the forecast figure of a minimum of EUR 55 million. The Group’s preliminary EBITDA came in at EUR 3.8 million in the reporting period, which corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 6.8 %. 3U has therefore significantly outperformed the forecast figure of 4 % to 5 % but nevertheless fell short of the year-earlier figures of EUR 5.2 million in EBITDA and 10.0 % pertaining to the respective margin.

The ITC and HVAC segments record strong growth – Renewable Energies raises its margin despite a sales downturn

The ITC segment reported strong revenue growth of 25.1 % to EUR 19.2 million in the financial year 2024, up from EUR 15.3 million in the previous year. The segment’s EBITDA climbed by 11.6 % to EUR 4.4 million (previous year: EUR 3.9 million) and the EBITDA margin came in at 22.8 % (previous year: 25.5 %). As expected, the Renewable Energies segment’s revenue declined notably, from EUR 8.1 million to EUR 4.8 million. The segment’s EBITDA contracted accordingly by 39.2 % to EUR 3.6 million (previous year: EUR 5.8 million). Despite the lower level of revenue, the EBITDA margin improved slightly to 73.8 % (previous year: 72.4 %). The HVAC segment’s revenue advanced by 9.8 % to EUR 32.5 million (previous year: EUR 29.6 million). Additional costs incurred by expansion caused segment EBITDA to decline from EUR –1.2 million to around EUR –2.0 million.

“We are delighted that 3U HOLDING AG was able to deliver sound growth in the financial year 2024 against the backdrop of the challenging conditions in the market. We met and even outperformed our forecasts in terms of earnings while strengthening our competitiveness. The sound development of our segments underscores the resilience of our business models. We are confident of achieving further growth in 2025 and of successfully implementing our strategic goals in the context of our 3U MISSION 2026+,” states Uwe Knoke, Board member responsible for strategy and business development at 3U HOLDING AG.

Significant increase in revenue 2025 along with paving the way for further acquisitions to achieve the medium-term growth ambitions

Excluding future acquisitions, the Management Board expects total revenue in 2025 in a range of between EUR 62 million to EUR 66 million, which would correspond to growth of 11 % to approximately 18 %. As regards earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, management anticipates that EBITDA will break even overall in the transition year of 2025.

In view of the end of the call-by-call and preselection services in 2024 and growing competition in the voice business, the ITC segment is likely to be faced with an anticipated clear focus on profitable product lines. The Management Board therefore expects revenue to decline and settle in the mid-single-digit euro range, excluding potential acquisitions in 2025. The ITC segment’s EBITDA margin should remain at a healthy level in 2025. Smaller to mid-sized acquisitions, in particular to accelerate the expansion of the Managed Service offering, will be screened intensively and form an integral part of the strategic goals defined for the segment.

Due to the expansion-related construction activities which will take place throughout the whole year as part of the repowering project in the Langendorf Wind Farm, the Management Board expects the Renewable Energies segment’s revenue to remain stable in the current year. Given the lower level of feed-in tariffs anticipated for onshore wind energy, the EBITDA margin in 2025 will not match the record achieved in 2024. The new wind turbines in Langendorf are scheduled to go online at the start of 2026, which will significantly ramp up the company’s power generating capacities to 73.5 MW.

The general conditions in online retail and in the market for technical building equipment are not expected to improve until the end of 2025 at the earliest, and then only very slowly. In conjunction with the EMPUR Group acquired at the start of this year, the Management Board anticipates notable revenue growth in 2025 in the HVAC segment. The HVAC segment’s EBITDA is set to increase in 2025 in a year-on-year comparison but will nevertheless remain in marginally negative territory due to the expenses for raising the segment’s competitiveness and for expansion. Management is still conducting intensive negotiations regarding a further takeover with a view to implementing the plans envisaged for Selfio SE’s IPO as soon as possible.

The strategic steps to promote growth outlined for all three segments are designed to significantly accelerate sales and earnings as from 2026. Accordingly, 3U HOLDING AG confirms the medium-term growth ambitions already communicated.

The final results for 2024 are due to be published on 28 March 2025.

To this end, a webcast on 3U HOLDING AG’s 2024 annual financial statements will be held on 28 March 2025 at 10:00 CET, together with CFO Christoph Hellrung and Uwe Knoke, Board member responsible for strategy and business development.

Please register here to participate in the webcast.

About 3U:

3U HOLDING AG (www.3U.net), based in Marburg, Germany, was founded in 1997. As the operating management and investment holding company, it heads up the 3U Group. With a view to increasing the value for the shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and all stakeholders, the company acquires, operates and sells companies in the three segments of ITC (Information and Telecommunications Technology), Renewable Energies and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology. The 3U Group operates successfully and profitably with its business models in mega trends in all three segments and is striving to attain market leadership in particular with its e-commerce business model. 3U HOLDING AG shares are traded on XETRA, Tradegate and on German regional stock exchanges (ISIN: DE0005167902; identifier: UUU).