Bmw�s Susanne Klatten buys stake in SGL Group to keep Vw at bay

Susanne Klatten, a BMW AG board member, increased her stake in SGL Group, a German producer of carbon products, to 27.3 percent, up from 22 percent previously. She did this through her investment vehicle Skion. She did this in order to prevent Volkswagen AG from being a major influence on SGL. Last February, VW obtained an 8.18 percent stake in SGL that surprised the players in the stock market. The company disclosed that it would not increase its share to more than 10 percent.

VW�s actions prompted Klatten to announce that she was observing the company�s moves in vigilance, and if needed, she could get a blocking minority stake in SGL. Her 27.3 percent ownership of SGL will give her the right to veto strategic decisions. She is also targeting to lift her stake to around 29 percent in the next 12 months.

A Skion spokesman stated that the investment group is currently not planning a full takeover of SGL. On the other hand, SGL stated on Wednesday that the investment group would continue to have a say in the appointment of top executives and directors. Klatten, a member of the Quandt family, currently has 12.6 percent ownership in BMW. Her family is currently the biggest shareholder of BMQ, holding 46 percent of shares. SGL entered a deal on lightweight carbon parts for the new i3 electric car of BMW. It has disclosed that it does not rule out collaboration agreements with other automakers. [via - 4wheelsnews]