(pressebox) (Jena, 2007-11-28) The Free State of Thuringia has sold its 14.8 percent share in JENOPTIK AG, as announced. The Ministry of Finance informed today that all shares had been sold to ECE Industriebeteiligungen GmbH, Vienna, which makes the company the biggest individual shareholder in JENOPTIK AG. The free float of JENOPTIK AG comes to 79.87 percent. Varis Vermögensverwaltung GmbH holds 5.33 percent.

In October 2005 the Free State of Thuringia had declared its intention to sell its 14.8 percent equity stake as part of its 2006/2007 budget. The Free State of Thuringia had been sole shareholder of the technology group from the foundation of Jenoptik in 1991 until the IPO of the technology group in 1998. The stake was gradually reduced to 14.8 percent after the public offering at the Frankfurt stock exchange.

ECE Industriebeteiligungen GmbH, Vienna, is indirectly owned by Humer Private Foundation. ECE sees itself as a new, strong key shareholder of JENOPTIK AG with a mid- to long-term investment approach, who intents to support and to push forward Jenoptik's growth strategy. According to ECE Jenoptik is one of the most interesting German high-tech companies. Jenoptik welcomes the commitment of the new strong investor who wants to support the realignment and the focus on profitable growth.