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SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH from Gummersbach-Dieringhausen, one of the leading German companies in the field of lawn and grounds maintenance, will become the new main sponsor of VfL Gummersbach at the start of the upcoming 2021/22 season. Over the next three years, SABO will accompany VfL Gummersbach as a strong partner regardless of the league and is thus the first sole main sponsor of the traditional Oberberg club in over ten years. As such, SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH will be featured on the Bundesliga team’s jerseys from the new season onwards.
Initial contact with SABO’s new management was established a few weeks ago. The talks were conducted intensively with the support of the shareholder, Mutares SE & Co. KGaA from Munich, and were concluded in a timely manner.
The partnership with SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH covers all three brands of VfL Handball Gummersbach GmbH. In addition to being the main sponsor of the Bundesliga team, SABO will also become the exclusive partner of the Handball Academy and sustainability partner of the Oberberg Handball School from July 1.
Fatmir Veselaj, CEO SABO and Associate Director Mutares: “The partnership between VfL Gummersbach and SABO is proof of the successful realignment of two partners whose existence was under threat in the near past. After stabilizing SABO, it was clear to us that we had to grow in order to ensure the company’s success in the medium to long term.
The partnership with VfL Gummersbach is an investment in the future of SABO, which we as the owner support 100% financially. I am very proud to be able to bring together two traditional, down-to-earth partners that are firmly rooted in the region. Furthermore, I personally hope that all sports clubs survive the current challenging times and that sport does not suffer any long-term damage as a result of the pandemic.”
Peter Nortmann, Head of Sales and Marketing SABO and Principal Mutares: “VfL Gummersbach is the home of handball and SABO is the home of lawn mowers. It was clear to us from day one that we would seek direct contact with VfL. We are all the more pleased that the collaboration worked so quickly! By working together, we are bringing the SABO brand back to the attention of our target groups. As part of this cooperation, we are also giving our partners and retailers the opportunity to play an active role in the content and thus benefit even more from the diverse activities.”
Lars Daniel, CFO SABO: “As a native of Gummersbach and former active handball player, who himself played in the youth and amateur divisions of VfL, I support the cooperation and very much welcome this project. VfL and SABO are two authentic brands steeped in tradition that are coming out of a difficult situation. With the drive and commitment that has been shown in recent months and years, I am very positive about the future.”
Christoph Schindler, Managing Director of VfL Gummersbach: “I am delighted to have SABO as a new, strong partner. Such a commitment in these times is extraordinary. In November 2018, we declared that we also want to be perceived as a commercial enterprise. Over the past two and a half years, we have realigned and expanded the VfL Gummersbach brand. To this end, we have developed products and services with which we can also offer added value to every company. It is precisely these added values that have now led to us gaining a new partner in SABO, which of course gives us a little more security in the current situation, but will also send a signal to all other companies that are already partners with VfL Gummersbach or are set to become partners.”
About SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH:
SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Gummersbach, is one of the leading European manufacturers of innovative and high-quality lawn mowers. SABO employs around 90 people and supplies its customers in over 20 countries with gasoline and electric mowers as well as battery-powered garden equipment. The quality of the products and the high level of brand awareness make SABO a company with a strong market position.
SABO works with over 1,100 specialized garden tool dealers and sells its products nationwide in Germany and abroad. SABO’s operational focus is on expanding into new markets and tapping into the growth market for battery-powered lawn mowers and garden tools.
About Mutares SE & Co. KGaA:
Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, Munich (www.mutares.de), a listed private equity holding company with offices in Central Europe and headquartered in Munich, acquires medium-sized companies and parts of groups that show significant operational improvement potential and will be resold after stabilization and repositioning. Mutares actively supports and develops the portfolio companies with its own investment and expert teams. In the 2020 financial year, Mutares generated consolidated annual revenues of around EUR 1.6 billion with over 12,000 employees worldwide in the Group. Based on this, consolidated revenues are to be expanded to around EUR 3.0 billion by 2023. The shares of Mutares SE & Co. KGaA are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
About VfL Handball Gummersbach GmbH:
VfL Gummersbach is one of the most traditional clubs in the world. With more handball titles than almost any other club, this is the home of handball. It has also produced the most famous handball legends such as Heiner Brand, Hansi Schmidt and Joachim Deckarm. But the club is not resting on its laurels: VfL has been breaking new ground since 2018 in order to achieve its future goals. In addition to Bundesliga handball, the focus is primarily on promoting young talent. VfL Handball Gummersbach GmbH now has the largest handball academy in Germany. In addition, the Oberberg Handball School was established last year. It teaches and promotes topics such as sport, health and social responsibility.
You can watch the press conference again here.