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The world's largest building product information network is growing larger.

 
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14 Mar 2007

London-based GMT Communications Partners (GMT) has signed an agreement with Springer Science+Business Media (Springer) to acquire Springer's construction information division. GMT is a European independent private equity group focused exclusively on the communications sector and is the owner of Docu Group Deutsche Holding GmbH (Docu Group), which is a provider of database information and innovative products for the construction and real estate industry.

Docu Group, founded in 2001, was built through a series of acquisitions, including Docu AG in Switzerland (founded in 1930) and Baumarktforschung Deutschland (founded in 1994). Docu Group's eight companies provide complementary specialist business-to-business solutions to the construction industry in Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia. In total, Docu Group employs 250 people and generated sales of EUR 21 million in 2006.

The world's largest building product information network is growing larger.

The Docu Group's network, presently covering fifteen countries in Europe, North America and Asia, consist of more than 200,000 companies and 250,000 product details, brochures, specifications and drawings. The network is the largest of its kind and has more than 1 million visitors a month.

AEC Online is part of the Docu Group network and brings company and product information in a fast and cost efficient way to architects, contractors and developers in the Middle East striving building and construction market.

Springer's construction information division (known as 'B2B Construction') provides business-to-business information and solutions to the construction industry in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Central and Eastern Europe. The division employs 800 people and in 2006 generated sales of nearly EUR 80 million.

Springer's B2B Construction division encompasses Bauverlag BV GmbH, Springer BauMedien ibau, Springer BauMedien Heinze, BauDatenbank GmbH, BauNetz Online-Dienst GmbH & Co.KG in Germany, as well as Bau-Data GmbH in Austria, Springer Media Czechia s.r.o. in the Czech Republic, Springer Business Media Magyarország Kiadó Kft. in Hungary and Springer Business Media Croatia d.o.o in Croatia. In Switzerland, Springer Science+Business Media Schweiz AG will be sold, but its subsidiary, Media-Daten AG will remain with Springer and will be integrated into Springer's B2B Business, Technology and Transport division to realize synergies with the Media-Daten Verlag in Germany.

Peter Schmitz, Chief Executive of Docu Group since late 2005, will become Chief Executive of the enlarged group with Monica Sawhney, currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Springer B2B Construction, continuing in this position. Stefan Rühling, Executive Vice President of Springer B2B Construction and Managing Director of Springer BauMedien / Bauverlag, has chosen to leave the company after a transition period. He joined the company in 1989 and has contributed significantly over many years to the positive development and success of the group.

"The acquisition of the Springer companies allows us to offer new, more valuable and complementary services to our different client groups across a range of territories. We will use the innovative and entrepreneurial potential of the two organisations to bring best-of-breed solutions to existing and new clients," said Peter Schmitz.

Derk Haank, Chief Executive of Springer, added: "This will allow us to expand our core business in the science, technology and medical (STM) publishing area as well as our activities in the B2B Business, Technology and Transport division and our medical and B2B publishing activities in the Netherlands. At the same time, the sale allows the B2B Construction division to pursue new opportunities in the construction sector in a more targeted manner within a specialised construction group."



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