Shareholder change at schülke successfully completed - growth strategy with focus on innovation continues

ATHOS is a Munich-based single family office and invests in companies with an entrepreneurial, long-term and value-oriented approach in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Together with other co-investors, including Bitburger Holding, they form the consortium.

As part of the change in shareholders, Jan-Dirk Auris will succeed Stefan Kukacka as schülke CEO. Jan-Dirk Auris comes from Henkel, where he has been responsible for the Adhesive Technologies division as a member of the Management Board since 2011. He worked for Henkel for over 30 years and has many years of industry experience. A comprehensive transition phase will ensure continuity.

With almost 135 years of tradition, schülke has established itself as an innovation leader and key partner to the healthcare sector in the development of holistic and system-critical solutions for infection prevention and treatment. As a leading provider of sustainable solutions, the company meets the diverse needs of its customers, which include hospitals and other healthcare facilities, with high-quality products and high delivery reliability. In addition, the company sells its products to pharmacies and care providers as well as to the global life sciences industry. schülke holds market-leading positions in Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and Brazil.

With the support of the consortium, the schülke management team aims to continue the successful growth strategy with a focus on innovation and to remain a reliable partner for the company's customers and the healthcare sector - true to the mission "We protect lives worldwide". At the heart of the collaboration is the continuation of the sustainability agenda, accelerating investment in new product innovations, further strengthening customer loyalty and tapping into additional geographical markets. The consortium wants to build on what makes schülke so unique - trust, quality, innovation and passion - and further strengthen these values.

Jan-Dirk Auris, new CEO of schülke, said: "I am very much looking forward to my new tasks and especially to continuing to implement the common goal of sustainable corporate development and the focus on innovation as well as the mission 'We protect lives worldwide'. The focus of our work is on the satisfaction of our customers, end customers and employees. With ATHOS and the other family offices, we have strong partners at our side who have many years of industry experience and will support us in implementing our strategy and continuing our growth trajectory."

Wolfgang Essler, General Manager at ATHOS, said: "With its strong expertise and network in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, ATHOS is the ideal partner for schülke to support the next growth phase of the company with the same cultural values. With Jan-Dirk Auris, we have gained a strong leader and a very experienced manager as CEO.
We look forward to working together and to continuing to invest in the schülke company and offering employees a secure and long-term perspective."