EQS-News: wienerberger acquires Serbian Univerzum Group – investing in emerging growth markets

EQS-News: Wienerberger AG / Key word(s): Strategic Company
Decision/Takeover
wienerberger acquires Serbian Univerzum Group – investing in emerging
growth markets

18.05.2026 / 15:00 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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wienerberger acquires Serbian Univerzum Group – investing in emerging
growth markets

• wienerberger signed an agreement to acquire Univerzum Group, the
leading producer of clay blocks in Serbia – an attractive strategic
fit
• This step significantly advances wienerberger’s growth objectives and
enhances its exposure to the emerging construction market in
Southeastern Europe
• The two acquired production sites in Serbia are strategically placed
to meet rising domestic and regional demand – revenues in 2026 are
expected to reach approximately €20 million

Vienna, May 18, 2026 – wienerberger, a leading international provider of
innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope, in the
fields of new build and renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and
energy management, announces the next step in its value-accretive growth
strategy: The company has signed an agreement to acquire Univerzum
Export-Import DOO (or “Univerzum Group”), the leading producer of clay
blocks in Serbia with approximately 200 employees and a projected turnover
of €20 million for 2026.

By acquiring the market leader of clay blocks in Serbia, wienerberger
gains an optimal position in this key market. The construction sector in
Serbia as well as in Southeastern Europe is growing, and the demand for
clay blocks is expected to increase due to catch-up effects, supporting
sustainable, above‑average volume growth. In addition, cross-selling
opportunities with our established roofing activities will further
strengthen our market position in Serbia and the Southeastern Region.

Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger, says: “As demand patterns evolve, we
remain agile and proactively adjust our focus. Southeastern Europe is
experiencing strong momentum in the construction sector, with demand
expected to rise further. This step not only increases our exposure to
this dynamic market but also expands our portfolio of innovative
construction solutions, complementing our growing roofing business in the
region. The business is projected to deliver around €20 million in
revenues in 2026, combined with highly attractive margins and offers
strong value creation potential through a synergized EV/EBITDA multiple of
approximately 5x. This underlines wienerberger’s consistent focus, most
recently demonstrated by the acquisition in the piping segment in Sweden,
on value-accretive transactions that immediately enhance group earnings.”

In Serbia, clay blocks remain the predominant wall material. In
particular, residential construction and renovation activity remained
resilient and is expected to grow – supported by demographic trends,
housing undersupply, and increasing quality standards.

The two production sites of the Univerzum Group in Aranđelovac in the
south of Belgrade and in Inđija in the north of the city are ideally
located to serve the Serbian market. The Univerzum Group also complements
wienerberger’s existing regional production footprint for wall building
materials in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, strengthening its
position across Southeastern Europe.

About Univerzum Group

The Univerzum Group is a leading producer of clay blocks in Serbia, a
structurally growing market in Southeastern Europe. The Group, employing
approximately 200 employees at two production sites, has established
nationwide market coverage for clay masonry materials and benefits from a
strong brand, a well-established customer base, and a highly efficient
logistics setup.

Transaction Details

The scope of the planned transaction comprises the stepwise acquisition of
100% of the shares in Univerzum Export-Import DOO, which results in a
distribution of the purchase price payments between 2026 and 2027. The
transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant competition
authorities and the satisfaction of other conditions typical for a
transaction of this nature.

wienerberger
wienerberger is a leading international provider of innovative, ecological
solutions for the entire building envelope, in the fields of new build and
renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. With
more than 20,000 employees worldwide, wienerberger’s solutions enable
energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly, and affordable living.
wienerberger is the world’s largest producer of bricks and the market
leader in clay roof tiles in Europe as well as concrete pavers in Eastern
Europe. In pipe systems (ceramic and plastic pipes), the company is one of
the leading suppliers in Europe and a leading supplier of facade products
in North America. With its more than 200 production sites, wienerberger
generated revenues of €4.6 billion and an operating EBITDA of approx. €754
million in 2025.

For further information, please contact:
Claudia Hajdinyak, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 828 31 83 | claudia.hajdinyak@wienerberger.com

Therese Jandér, Senior Vice President Investor Relations Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 780 02757 | investor@wienerberger.com

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18.05.2026 CET/CEST This Corporate News was distributed by [1]EQS Group

View original content: [2]EQS News

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Language: English
Company: Wienerberger AG
Wienerbergerplatz 1
1100 Wien
Austria
Phone: +43 1 60 192-0
Fax: +43 1 60 192-10159
E-mail: investor@wienerberger.com
Internet: www.wienerberger.com
ISIN: AT0000831706
Listed: Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Market)
EQS News ID: 2328998

 
End of News EQS News Service

2328998  18.05.2026 CET/CEST

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