Business News
Axel Springer expands portfolio in online classifieds markets
Thursday 22. April 2010 - Axel Springer AG is reinforcing its positioning in the core business of online classifieds markets. The company is acquiring a 51 percent stake in the online enterprise 'Umzugsauktion' based in Freiburg, Germany, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Immonet.de . The companys founders, Franz Jelinic and Sebastian Palos, are set to retain an interest of 49 percent and continue running the enterprise.
The company has been operating various online portals since 2005, including umzugsauktion.de and umzugspreisvergleich.de. With the takeover, Immonet.de is adding a fast-growing, profitable add-on to its core business in real estate marketplace and reinforcing its positioning as a full-service real estate portal.
Dr. Jens Müffelmann, Head of the Electronic Media division of Axel Springer AG: “The majority stake in ‘Umzugsauktion’ represents a further step in the systematic expansion of our online classifieds markets. With regard to the more than four million relocations every year, the profitable company currently enjoys an excellent position as market leader for online relocation agency activities.”
Interested parties can use umzugsauktion.de to request quotes for nationwide relocations free of charge and without obligation. They can then take up the offers from the bidding relocation companies they want in the auction process. This model allows savings of up to 40 percent to be made. The customers are personally assisted by trained relocation advisors during the entire auction process.
For local relocations, the company also provides an easy way to obtain quotes from several relocation companies with a single request on umzugspreisvergleich.de.