Air Berlin shares for dba staff
Pressemitteilung: München, 23. 11. 2006
ATON GmbH is to share some of its profits, 2,418,800 euros to be precise, with its 717 members of staff, who have made a major contribution to the recovery of dba. The money will be distributed in the form of free Air Berlin shares, with each employee receiving 195 shares. At the current share price, that corresponds to around 3,373 euros per employee.
The Gift as a sign
Dr. Lutz Helmig said, “Through its investment in dba, ATON has achieved profits in the millions. Like anyone receiving such good news, I was naturally pleased. In contrast to my fellow partners however, I have hardly had to work for this success at all and have been rewarded more for putting my trust in the company. It was not only my fellow partners that I put my trust in, but also the staff of dba.”The gift of shares should be taken as a sign that German entrepreneurs do not forget those who have helped them. When a company gets back on its feet through the sacrifices of its employees, then they should also benefit if it is sold. At dba it was mainly the employees who bore the load. Dr. Helmig said, “This is not just about having a fair arrangement – it is more a company ethos. I hope that this gives other financial investors something to think about.”
Joachim Hunold, Chairman of the Board of Air Berlin PLC, had proposed making this gift of shares in Air Berlin. ATON bought the necessary shares on behalf of its employees at the higher price that the shares have reached since the sale of dba. ATON has opened a fee-free deposit account with Commerzbank for every member of staff, including those on parental leave, and transferred the shares there.
The value of this gift is below the gift tax threshold and the staff of dba has free access to the shares without any waiting period.
Dr. Helmig hopes that the dba staff receiving this gift will take advantage of the share deposit account set up for them and take more of an interest in the investment market, adding, “Personal property provides an element of personal freedom.”
