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FIDURA Private Equity Funds: Successful Exit

Munich-based Private Equity funds FIDURA Vermögensbildungs- und Absicherungsfonds and FIDURA Rendite Plus Ethik Fonds (as well as additional investors) have sold SensorDynamics AG to U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer Maxim Integrated Products for $164 million (enterprise value) including the assumption of debt. Since the FIDURA funds acquisition of SensorDynamics at the end of 2007 the company-s value has increased five-fold. This sale to Maxim has taken place after less than four years of ownership and therefore much earlier than originally scheduled. With this transaction, both FIDURA funds have been able to realize high double-digit returns for their investor base which is composed purely of retail investors.
SensorDynamics- strengths lie in inertial MEMS sensors, automotive smart-key semiconductor solutions, its pioneering position in the fast-growing energy harvesting market, and its fail-safe automotive know-how (including access to key automotive customers). These strengths were some of the deciding factors for their acquisition of the company.
-This confirms the positive assessment we made following our thorough examination at the beginning of our engagement with SensorDynamics,- says Klaus Ragotzky, CEO of the issuing house FIDURA. -The successful sale of SensorDynamics proves the effectiveness of our strategy to invest in growth-oriented, technologically leading companies with a relatively moderate risk potential.- Herbert Gartner, CFO and Founder of SensorDynamics adds: -It-s crucial for the success of high-tech companies to have strong, confident investors on board who have faith in the business idea and in the management. Our investors were decisive for the growth of our company.-
About SensorDynamics
SensorDynamics is a semi-fabless semiconductor company focusing on innovative sensor solutions for high volume applications in automotive, industry and high-end consumer sectors. SensorDynamics develops and supplies fail-safe micro and wireless semiconductor products for automotive, industry and high-end consumer key accounts and is certified under ISO/TS 16949. The company acts as a general contractor with in-house MEMS production and cooperates closely with leading international technology partners. With headquarters in Lebring near Graz, Austria, SensorDynamics has subsidiaries in Italy and Germany and a world-wide sales network.
This acquisition enables SensorDynamics to focus on its strength in engineering for sensors and MEMS, while utilizing Maxim-s considerable manufacturing, distribution and sales infrastructure. Hubertus Christ, SensorDynamics- Chief Executive Officer, noted: -This transaction will enable SensorDynamics to enhance its product pipeline and foster sustainable growth well into the future. SensorDynamics- management team is pleased to be a part of the integration and we look forward to the next stage in a very exciting business. This is a great opportunity for all our talented engineers now and for a long-term future.-
For more information on SensorDynamics and its products, please go to www.sensordynamics.cc
About Maxim
Maxim Integrated Products Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance semiconductor products. The company was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to deliver innovative analog and mixed-signal engineering solutions that add value to its customers- products. To date, it has developed over 6400 products serving the industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets.
Maxim Integrated Products reported revenue of approximately $2.0 billion for fiscal 2010. A Fortune 1000 company, Maxim Integrated Products is included in the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 1000, and the MSCI USA indices.

FIDURA Private Equity Funds invest directly in growth-oriented and innovative mid-sized companies. FIDURA is a direct fund as opposed to a fund of funds concept. For this reason FIDURA ensures an optimally balanced investment portfolio and a favorable cost structure for its investors. FIDURA Private Equity Funds belong to the few private equity funds which give small investors a chance to benefit from the high investment returns of this type of investment. FIDURA funds emphasize a balanced risk-reward ratio and do not invest in early stage companies, instead investing only in growth-oriented companies that have already achieved their first market successes and revenues. FIDURA is currently offering the -FIDURA Rendite Sicherheit Plus Ethik 3 Fonds-, which is the only publicly offered fund in the German market investing in innovative companies in accordance with clear ethical criteria. In addition, the FIDURA Private Equity Funds offer a possibility to secure the invested capital of investors with first class Commonwealth Insurance Companies.
FIDURA fund managers were awarded Best Private Equity Managers 2011 by INVESTMENT magazine.