Henkel shares are increasing: Many interested parties for business in Russia – Possibly more home office again

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“We could then lower the temperature in the offices significantly, while our employees could heat at home to the normal extent,” said Henkel boss Carsten Knobel of the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday).

In addition, the group can use more coal and oil in its company-owned power plant in Düsseldorf, which is currently mainly operated with gas. “Compared to today’s operation, we could save almost a third of the gas,” said the manager. But the company is still waiting for approval from the Federal Network Agency.

With regard to the challenges of the energy crisis in the coming winter, Knobel said: “I’m optimistic that we can do it”. But it is important to save as much gas as possible by winter so that the storage tanks are sufficiently filled.

According to the manager, Henkel intends to cut around 300 jobs in Germany by the end of 2023 as part of the reorganization of the consumer goods division. That is around 15 percent of the 2,000 jobs worldwide that are to be eliminated by merging the detergents and body care divisions. The group will try to avoid operational layoffs.

Henkel has 50 prospects for business in Russia

The DAX group Henkel already has 50 interested parties who want to buy all or part of its Russian business. “Possible buyers are from Russia as well as from other countries,” said CEO Carsten Knobel of the Rheinische Post. “We are now examining all options in detail and aim to have the sale completed by the end of the year.”

Knobel also explains to the newspaper why the group only decided to exit business in Russia around eight weeks after the attack on Ukraine: “You have to weigh up such a far-reaching decision carefully. After all, it’s about a 30-year-old business with eleven plants and 2,500 employees, which accounts for around 5 percent of our annual turnover with a turnover of one billion euros.”

The adhesives business, which is partially relevant to armaments, is only to be partially sold and otherwise closed. “However, we will not sell some activities in our adhesives division, but will discontinue them completely so that important technologies remain in our hands,” says Knobel.

On Monday, Henkel’s preferred shares temporarily gained 0.84 percent on XETRA to 59.88 euros.

DUSSELDORF / FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX / Dow Jones Newswires)

Image sources: Henkel AG