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Highway Holdings Plans to Acquire 51% of Regent-Feinbau Adermann GmbH

MWN-AI** Summary

Highway Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: HIHO) has announced its intention to acquire a 51% stake in Regent-Feinbau Adermann GmbH, a German manufacturer specializing in precision sheet metal components and assemblies, primarily through cash and unregistered shares. The deal, outlined in a signed letter of intent with LeMALe Beteiligungs-GmbH, aims for completion by the end of March 2026, pending due diligence and negotiation of a definitive purchase agreement.

Founded in 1949, Regent-Feinbau is certified under IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001, recognized for its capabilities in laser cutting, bending, advanced welding, and component assembly. The company serves original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers mainly in the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors, with notable clients including AMG Mercedes Benz. Highway Holdings envisions that acquiring Regent-Feinbau will bolster its position in the Chinese automotive market, which is witnessing positive growth, projected at approximately $660 billion over the next five years.

Highway Holdings’ chairman, Roland Kohl, expressed optimism about the acquisition as a vital strategy to rejuvenate its OEM business, particularly in replacing lost customer revenue post-COVID. He highlighted that Regent-Feinbau’s advanced manufacturing capabilities would enhance their service offerings and target new markets, especially in China, where the company has historically been absent despite a strong presence supporting international clients.

Additionally, Kohl indicated that this acquisition is the first phase of a broader M&A strategy, with plans to identify further opportunities in Germany. Highway Holdings maintains a strong financial footing, reporting no debt and around $5.3 million in cash, underlining its confidence in pursuing this acquisition and potential future transactions.

MWN-AI** Analysis

Highway Holdings Limited's decision to acquire 51% of Regent-Feinbau Adermann GmbH represents a strategic move that could significantly enhance its positioning within the automotive and industrial sectors. This acquisition will not only expand Highway’s product capabilities but also strengthen its foothold in the growing Chinese automotive market, which currently maintains a robust growth outlook.

The acquisition of Regent-Feinbau, known for its precision sheet metal components and extensive experience in serving OEMs, aligns well with Highway's ambition to address its current customer base’s declining revenues. With the automotive sector recovering post-COVID, Highway stands to benefit from Regent-Feinbau’s established relationships with major players such as AMG Mercedes Benz, particularly as it leverages these connections to penetrate the Chinese market more aggressively.

Moreover, the financial stability of Highway Holdings, underscored by its low debt and substantial cash reserves of $5.3 million, offers a solid foundation for this acquisition. The company’s emphasis on further M&A activities in Germany highlights a proactive growth strategy, targeting multiple opportunities to bolster capabilities and revenues.

From an investment perspective, consider the following:

- **Market Positioning**: Assess how the acquisition might position Highway Holdings against competitors within the precision manufacturing field. With Regent-Feinbau’s capabilities, Highway can now offer more comprehensive solutions to prospective clients.

- **Growth in Chinese Market**: The projected 2% growth rate in the automotive sector suggests a steady demand for metal components. Investors may want to keep an eye on Highway’s performance in this region as it expands its market reach.

- **Risk Factors**: As with any acquisition, there are inherent risks—particularly regarding due diligence and the actual integration of operations. Potential investors should monitor the progress of the acquisition and its impact on financial metrics once finalized.

In conclusion, while there are risks associated with the acquisition, Highway Holdings’ strategic alignment with Regent-Feinbau could position it for substantial growth, particularly within the lucrative automotive market segment. Investors should stay informed on developments of this transaction as it progresses.

**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.

Source: PR Newswire

PR Newswire

HONG KONG, Dec. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Highway Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: HIHO, the "Company" or "Highway Holdings") today announced it has signed a letter of intent ("LOI") with LeMALe Beteiligungs-GmbH ("LeMaLe" or "Seller") to acquire 51% of German-based Regent-Feinbau Adermann GmbH ("Regent-Feinbau") primarily for cash and a smaller amount of the Company's unregistered shares.

The proposed acquisition, which targets a close by the end of March 2026, remains subject to the completion of due diligence, negotiation and execution of a definitive purchase agreement, and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that the parties will enter into a definitive agreement or that any transaction will be consummated.

Founded in 1949, Regent-Feinbau is a certified manufacturing specialist (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001) for precision sheet metal components and welded assemblies made of aluminum, steel, and copper. With decades of experience and vertically integrated capabilities, Regent-Feinbau delivers high-quality, scalable solutions for demanding applications - from laser-cut parts to fully assembled functional units. Regent-Feinbau's core competencies include: Laser cutting and bending (efficient, high-precision processing using CNC press brakes and automated systems); Forming technology (flexible production with extender presses and CNC-controlled bending for complex geometries); Component assembly (complete systems with integrated fastening and joining processes); and Advanced welding (including drawn arc, projection, spot, and robotic welding, ensuring strong, repeatable joints across a wide range of materials). Regent-Feinbau primarily serves OEMs directly, while also supporting Tier 1 suppliers with reliable, production-ready components and assemblies across the automotive, commercial vehicle, aerospace, and industrial sectors.

Roland Kohl, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Highway Holdings, commented, "We are extremely excited to have signed a letter of intent to acquire 51% of Regent-Feinbau. The acquisition is part of our short and long-term strategy to reinvigorate our OEM business, which has an urgent need to replace customers whose revenue contribution has declined or halted due to the global business challenges entering and exiting COVID. Regent-Feinbau's experience with automotive customers and that company's excellent capabilities, which allows them to be a Tier 1 supplier to companies such as AMG Mercedes Benz, will have a lot of value for our Chinese metal component division, Nissin Shenzhen, in targeting the Chinese automotive market.

The Chinese automotive market is one of the automotive markets left with a positive growth rate, which according to third party estimates currently is about $660 billion with a projected growth rate of over 2% over the next 5 years. The percentage of sheet metal in a car is estimated to be about 8% to 12%. The average sheet metal component business is therefore roughly $50 billion per year, with a 2% growth rate or about $1 billion per year.

While Highway Holdings' history in China spans over 35 years, the Company has never directly targeted the local Chinese market, with the exception of supporting our international OEM customers that have a local Chinese presence. We view the Regent-Feinbau transaction as a significant opportunity, as prior to a Regent-Feinbau acquisition we could not offer thick sheet metal cutting, bending and welding to potential customers. Regent-Feinbau will expand our portfolio and add these sought after capabilities and experience to our company."

Mr. Kohl added, "Regent-Feinbau's business in Europe is also expected to grow with the help of our know-how and experience, allowing it to approach high volume component businesses they could not previously target because of a lack of resources. These synergies are highly valuable, which is why we are so excited about the potential positive impact of this acquisition."

"Importantly, Regent-Feinbau is only the first step in our M&A strategy. We are currently evaluating  additional transactions in Germany that we have identified and evaluated over the last 24 months."

"We believe that we have a very strong financial foundation to acquire Regent-Feinbau and potentially other targets, with substantially no debt and approximately $5.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing approximately US$1.20 cash per share."

About Highway Holdings Limited

Highway Holdings is an international manufacturer of a wide variety of quality parts and products for blue chip equipment manufacturers based primarily in Germany. Highway Holdings' administrative offices are located in Hong Kong and its manufacturing facilities are located in Yangon, Myanmar, and Shenzhen, China. For more information visit website www.highwayholdings.com

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, political and technological factors affecting the company's revenues, operations, markets, products and prices, and other factors discussed in the company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the company's annual reports on Form 20-F.

SOURCE Highway Holdings Limited

FAQ**

How does Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) plan to integrate Regent-Feinbau's advanced manufacturing capabilities into its existing operations to enhance competitiveness in the automotive sector?

Highway Holdings Limited plans to leverage Regent-Feinbau's advanced manufacturing capabilities by integrating state-of-the-art technology and production techniques into its operations, thereby improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing product quality to strengthen its competitive position in the automotive sector.

What specific risks and challenges does Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) anticipate facing during the acquisition and integration of Regent-Feinbau, especially in the context of the current global economic climate?

Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) anticipates facing risks and challenges such as potential supply chain disruptions, integration complexities, varying regulatory environments, and financial pressures stemming from the current global economic climate during the acquisition of Regent-Feinbau.

Can Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) elaborate on the synergies expected between Regent-Feinbau and its Chinese metal component division, Nissin Shenzhen, and how these synergies will drive growth in the Chinese automotive market?

Highway Holdings Limited expects that synergies between Regent-Feinbau and its Nissin Shenzhen division will enhance operational efficiencies, foster innovation in metal component manufacturing, and leverage combined market expertise to capture growth opportunities in China's automotive sector.

What criteria is Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) using to evaluate additional acquisition targets in Germany, and how does Regent-Feinbau fit into its broader M&A strategy?

Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO) evaluates additional acquisition targets in Germany based on strategic alignment, potential for revenue growth, and market expansion, with Regent-Feinbau fitting into this strategy by enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and expanding its product offerings.

**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Highway Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: HIHO).

Highway Holdings Limited

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