On December 27, 2013, Universal-Investment-Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, Frankfurt am Main, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, had fallen below the 3% threshold on December 19, 2013, and on that day amounted to 0.00% (this corresponds to 0 Voting Rights). 

On December 20, 2013, LBBW Asset Management Investmentgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart, Germany, has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Deutschland, ISIN: DE0007239402, have exceeded the 5% threshold and have reached the 10% threshold of the Voting Rights on >December 19, 2013, and on that day amounted to 10.00% (this corresponds to 60000 Voting Rights).

Of this, 10.00% (60000 voting rights) is attributable to the company in accordance with Article 22, Section 1, Sentence 1, No. 6 in connection with Sentence 2 of the WpHG. Attributable voting rights are held by the following company each holding 3% or more of the voting rights in our company: Kreissparkasse Biberach

On December 20, 2013, Bayernlnvest Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH, München, Germany, has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, have exceeded the 3 % and 5% threshold of the Voting Rights on December 19, 2013, and on that day amounted to 5.0038% (this corresponds to 30023 Voting Rights).

Of this, 5.0038% (30023 voting rights) is attributable to the company in accordance with Article 22, Section 1, Sentence 1, No. 6 of the WpHG.

Befreiung gemäß § 37 Abs. 1 und 2 WpÜG i. V. m. § 9 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WpÜG-Angebotsverordnung

(only german version available)

Die Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung hat am 10 Juni 2010 einen Antrag auf Befreiung gemäß § 37 Abs. 1 und 2 WpÜG i. V. m. § 9 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WpÜG-Angebotsverordnung an die Bafin gestellt. Mit Bescheid vom 22.07.2010 der Bafin wurde die Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung gemäß § 37 Abs. 1 und 2 WpÜG i. V. m. § 9 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WpÜG-Angebotsverordnung hinsichtlich der durch gewillkürte Erbfolge am 13. Mai 2010 erlangten Kontrolle über die SIMONA AG, 55606 Kirn, Deutschland, von den Pflichten nach § 35 Abs. 2 Satz 1 WpÜG der Bundesanstalt eine Angebotsunterlage zu übermitteln und nach § 35 Abs. 2 Satz 2 i. V. m. § 14 Abs. 2 Satz 1 WpÜG ein Pflichtangebot zu veröffentlichen, befreit.

Gründe

1. Der Befreiungsantrag ist fristgerecht gestellt worden.
2. Die Antragstellerin erlangte die Kontrolle im Sinne der §§ 35, 29 Abs. 2 WpÜG über die SIMONA AG, da sie durch Erbgang am 13. Mai 2010 zusätzlich zu den ihr bereits gehörenden 72.803 Stückaktien (entsprechend 12,13 % der Stimmrechte) Eigentümerin weiterer 111.936 Stückaktien (entsprechend 18,66 % der Stimmrechte) wurde. Der Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung stehen somit seit dem 13. Mai 2010 insgesamt 184.739 Stückaktien (entsprechend 30,79 % der Stimmrechte) an der SIMONA AG zu.
3. Der zur Kontrollerlangung führende Eigentumserwerb erfolgte durch eine Erbschaft im Sinne des § 9 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WpÜG-Angebotsverordnung. Die gesamten im Nachlass der Anita Bürkle befindlichen 111.936 Stückaktien (entsprechend 18,66 % der Stimmrechte) gingen nämlich auf die Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung im Wege der Universalsukzession gemäß § 1922 BGB über, da die Antragstellerin, bezeugt durch Erbschein gemäß § 2353 Alt. 1 BGB vom 13. Juni 2010, Alleinerbin ist.
4. Es liegt zwar keine Erbschaft zwischen Verwandten im Sinne des § 36 Nr. 1 WpÜG vor, die Antragstellerin beabsichtigt aber, die ihr zustehenden Stimmrechte im Sinne der Gründer und zur Fortführung der Unternehmenskultur einzusetzen. Die Kontinuität der Unternehmensführung und -ausrichtung ist in einer der Erbschaft zwischen Verwandten vergleichbaren Situation gesichert und lässt das Interesse der Minderheitsaktionäre an einer Austrittsmöglichkeit durch ein Pflichtangebot zurücktreten.
5. Die Bindung des Stiftungsvermögens an den Stiftungszweck und der Umstand, dass die bisherige Beteiligung der Antragstellerin an der SIMONA AG das nahezu gesamte Stiftungsvermögen bindet und zur Finanzierung eines Pflichtangebotes wohl die Liquidation des Stiftungsvermögens notwendig werden würde, sprechen für ein erhebliches Interesse an der Befreiung.

Kirn, 29.07.2010
Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung

Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung, Kirn, Germany informed us on June 11, 2010 that pursuant to Article 21, Section 1 WpHG on May 13, 2010 its shareholding in SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940 had reached or exceeded the threshold of 10% or a higher threshold. Pursuant to Article 27a WpHG Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung informed us on June 23, 2010:

1. Goals within the meaning of Article 27a, Section 1, Sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 1 WpHG
   The investment is used to realize trading profits.
2. Goals within the meaning of Article 27a, Section 1, Sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 2 WpHG
   The reporting person does not intend to obtain further voting rights by acquisition or any other way within the next 12 months.
3. Goals within the meaning Article 27a, Section 1, Sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 3 WpHG
   The reporting person does not intend to influence the composition of the issuers' administration, management or supervisory board.

The reporting person does not intend to change the capital structure of the company, especially with regards to the ratio of internal/outside financing and the dividend policy.

No funds were required for the purchase of the shares, as the aforementioned shares were acquired through inheritance.

On June 10, 2010 , Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung, Bad Sobernheim, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have exceeded the 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% limit of the Voting Rights on May 13, 2010 and on that day amounted to 30.79% (this corresponds to 184739 Voting Rights).

On April 22, 2010 , Landkreis Biberach, Biberach, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have exceeded the 3%, 5% and 10% limit of the Voting Rights on November 29, 2006 and on that day amounted to 10.67% (this corresponds to 64000 Voting Rights).

Of this, 10.67% (64000 voting rights) is attributable to him in accordance with Section 22, para. 1 sentence 1 item 1 of the WpHG. Attributable voting rights are held by the following controlled undertakings each holding (directly or indirectly) 3% or more of the voting rights in our company: Kreissparkasse Biberach, Biberach, Deutschland.

On April 22, 2010 , Landkreis Biberach, Biberach, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have exceeded the 15% limit of the Voting Rights on March 02, 2010 and on that day amounted to 15.0038% (this corresponds to 90023 Voting Rights).

Of this, 15.0038% (90023 voting rights) is attributable to him in accordance with Section 22, para. 1 sentence 1 item 1 of the WpHG. Attributable voting rights are held by the following controlled undertakings each holding (directly or indirectly) 3% or more of the voting rights in our company: Kreissparkasse Biberach, Biberach, Germany.

Pursuant to section 27a WpHG Landkreis Biberach informed us on April 22, 2010:

1. Goals within the meaning of 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 1 WpHG
   The investment of Kreissparkasse Biberach serves as a long-term financial investment for the purpose of achieving an appreciation in value and dividend income.
2. Goals within the meaning of Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 2 WpHG
   At present, Kreissparkasse Biberach has no intention of directly or indirectly obtaining further voting rights within the next 12 months either through purchase or by any other means. However, Kreissparkasse Biberach assesses the options open to it on a continual basis and can therefore not discount the possibility of it directly or indirectly acquiring additional voting rights in SIMONA AG depending on the performance of SIMONA AG's share price and earnings.
3. Goals within the meaning Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 3 WpHG
   All influence over the appointment of the administrative, management and supervisory bodies of SIMONA AG continues to be governed by the exercise of voting rights at the General Meeting of Shareholders of the company under the provisions set out in the German Stock Corporation Act.
4. Goals within the meaning of Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 3 WpHG
   At present, Kreissparkasse Biberach does not intend to alter the capital structure of SIMONA AG, particularly in respect of the proportion of equity and external financing as well as the dividend policy.
5. The acquisition of interests in SIMONA AG was financed through own funds of Kreissparkasse Biberach.

Kreissparkasse Biberach, Biberach, Deutschland informed us on March 03, 2010 according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG (in correction of the announcement of March 02, 2010) that on March 02, 2010 its shareholding in Simona AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Deutschland, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940 had reached or exceeded the threshold of 10% or a higher threshold. Pursuant to section 27a WpHG Kreissparkasse Biberach informed us on March 23, 2010:

1. Goals within the meaning of 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 1 WpHG
   The investment serves as a long-term financial investment for the purpose of achieving an appreciation in value and dividend income.
2. Goals within the meaning of Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 2 WpHG
   At present, the notifying party has no intention of directly or indirectly obtaining further voting rights within the next 12 months either through purchase or by any other means. However, the notifying party assesses the options open to it on a continual basis and can therefore not discount the possibility of it directly or indirectly acquiring additional voting rights in Simona AG depending on the performance of Simona AG's share price and earnings.
3. Goals within the meaning Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 3 WpHG
   All influence over the appointment of the administrative, management and supervisory bodies of Simona AG continues to be governed by the exercise of voting rights at the General Meeting of Shareholders of the company under the provisions set out in the German Stock Corporation Act.
4. Goals within the meaning of Section 27a (1) sentence 1 in conjunction with sentence 3 no. 3 WpHG
   At present, the notifying party does not intend to alter the capital structure of Simona AG, particularly in respect of the proportion of equity and external financing as well as the dividend policy. 5. The acquisition of interests in Simona AG was financed through own funds.

On March 03, 2010 , Kreissparkasse Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG (in correction of the announcement of March 02, 2010) that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have exceeded the 15% limit of the Voting Rights on March 02, 2010 and on that day amounted to 15.0038% (this corresponds to 90023 Voting Rights).

On March 02, 2010 , Kreissparkasse Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have reached the 15% limit of the Voting Rights on March 02, 2010 (this corresponds to 90023 Voting Rights).

On June 20, 2008 , Rossmann Beteiligungs GmbH, Burgwedel, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG, Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, ISIN: DE0007239402, WKN: 723940, have exceeded the 10% limit of the Voting Rights on June 16, 2008 and now amount to 10.10% (this corresponds to 60584 Voting Rights).

On June 20, 2008 , Mr. Dirk Rossmann, Germany has informed us according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG that via shares his Voting Rights on SIMONA AG have exceeded the 10% limit of the Voting Rights on June 16, 2008  and now amount to 10.10% (this corresponds to 60584 Voting Rights). According to Article 22, Section 1, Sentence 1, No. 1 of the WpHG, 10.10% of the Voting Rights (this corresponds to 60584 Voting Rights) is to be attributed to Mr. Rossmann from Rossmann Beteiligungs GmbH, Burgwedel, Germany.

On July 27, 2007, The "Dr. Wolfgang und Anita Bürkle Stiftung Kirn", Germany, has informed us according to Article 21 (1) WpHG that via shares its Voting Rights on SIMONA AG have exceeded the 3%, 5% and 10% limit of the Voting Rights on July 23, 2007 and now amount to 12.13% .

On July 26, 2007, Ms Anita Bürkle, Germany has informed us according to Article 21 (1) WpHG that via shares her Voting Rights on SIMONA AG fave fallen below the 30%, 25% and 20% limit of the Voting Rights on July 23, 2007 and now amount to 18.66% .

Georg Fischer AG, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, has notified us in accordance with Section 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG) that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had fallen below the thresholds of 10 and 5 per cent specified as necessitating notification. Georg Fischer AG thus holds 0.00 per cent of voting rights. In accordance with Section 22 (1) sentence 1 no. 1 WpHG, these voting rights were fully attributable to Georg Fischer AG.

Furthermore, the aforementioned entity informed us that effective from November 29, 2006, the share of voting rights held in SIMONA AG by Georg Fischer AG & Co., Singen, Germany, had fallen below the thresholds of 10 and 5 per cent specified as necessitating notification and that the share of voting rights thus stood at 0.00 per cent.

Solventis AG, Frankfurt, Germany, has notified us in accordance with Section 21 (1) WpHG that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had exceeded the thresholds of 5 and 10 per cent specified as necessitating notification and that effective from this date it held 17.13 per cent of voting rights. In accordance with Section 22 (1) sentence 1 no. 1 WpHG, these voting rights were fully attributable to Solventis AG.

At the same time, it informed us in accordance with Section 21 (1) WpHG that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had fallen below the thresholds of 10 and 5 per cent specified as necessitating notification and that effective from this date it held 0.00 per cent of voting rights.

Solventis Wertpapierhandelsbank GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany, has notified us in accordance with Section 21 (1) WpHG that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had exceeded the thresholds of 5 and 10 per cent specified as necessitating notification and that effective from this date it held 17.13 per cent of voting rights. At the same time, it informed us in accordance with Section 21 (1) WpHG that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had fallen below the thresholds of 10 and 5 per cent and that effective from this date it held 0.00 per cent of voting rights.

Kreissparkasse Biberach, Biberach, Germany, has notified us in accordance with Section 21 (1) WpHG that effective from November 29, 2006, its share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had exceeded the thresholds of 5 and 10 per cent specified as necessitating notification and that effective from this date it held 10.67 per cent of voting rights. 

Mr. Dirk Rossmann, Germany, has informed us pursuant to Section 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG) that, on 31 July 2006, his proportion of voting rights in SIMONA AG had reached the threshold of 5 per cent and that as at the aforementioned date the proportion of voting rights was exactly 5.00 per cent. In accordance with Section 22 (1) sentence 1 WpHG, this proportion of voting rights is attributable to him via Rossmann Beteiligungs GmbH, whose sole owner he is.

Rossmann Beteiligungs GmbH, Burgwedel, Germany has informed us pursuant to Section 21 (1) WpHG that, on 31 July 2006, its proportion of voting rights in SIMONA AG had reached the threshold of 5 per cent and that as at the aforementioned date its proportion of voting rights was exactly 5.00 per cent. 

In a letter dated 25 August 2005, Mrs. Anita Bürkle informed us in accordance with Section 21 of the Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG) that, as universal successor following the death of her husband Dr. Wolfgang Bürkle, her share of voting rights in SIMONA AG had exceeded the threshold of 10 and 25 per cent and currently stands at 30.66 per cent.