EQT Partners Appoints Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer as Senior Advisor

Private equity firm EQT Partners announced that Dr. Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Austrian oil and gas group OMV AG, will join as a Senior Advisor, effective January 1, 2001. Ruttenstorfer's extensive experience in business and politics will be utilized in the valuation of equity investments and the development of portfolio companies.

Ruttenstorfer brings over two decades of experience, having held senior positions within the OMV Group, including Chief Financial Officer. He also served as State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance for the Austrian government from 1997 to 1999. This appointment signals EQT's commitment to expanding its focus on acquiring medium-sized enterprises in German-speaking regions, including Austria.

This move follows recent expansions to EQT's Advisory Council, which has seen the addition of several prominent business leaders. These include Dr. Wolfgang Woessner, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann AG, and Dr. Peter H. Grassmann, outgoing CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, both also effective January 1, 2001.

EQT Partners, founded in 1999, advises EQT funds specializing in investments in established, medium-sized companies with strong market positions and growth potential. The firm's investment philosophy centers on active ownership and collaboration with existing management to drive growth and operational improvements in acquired businesses.