schülke to continue its successful development and healthcare-focused growth strategy under new ownership

• schülke, the leading provider of sustainable infection prevention and treatment solutions for the healthcare and life sciences industry, to change shareholder and partner
• A consortium led by ATHOS, a Munich-based single family office, has agreed to acquire schülke from EQT Private Equity
• Under EQT Private Equity’s ownership schülke transformed into a leading healthcare-focused infection prevention and treatment company and a sustainability leader in its field
• Together with the ATHOS Consortium the management team will continue to pursue the successful and well-defined healthcare-focused growth strategy for schülke

Norderstedt, 7 August, 2023. A consortium led by ATHOS (the “ATHOS Consortium”), today announced an agreement to acquire Schülke & Mayr GmbH (“schülke” or the “Company”) from EQT Private Equity. ATHOS is a Munich-based single family office with heritage in healthcare and life science. It invests in companies with an entrepreneurial, long-term and value-based approach. Together with other co-investors such as the Bitburger Holding, they form the strategic ATHOS Consortium.

schülke is a key partner to the healthcare industry with an almost 135-year history of developing holistic and mission-critical infection prevention and treatment solutions. As a leading provider of sustainable solutions, it addresses the diverse needs of its customers including hospitals and other healthcare institutions through high quality products and consistent supply reliability. It also sells to the pharmacy and direct patient care channels, as well as the global life sciences industry. The Company holds market leading positions in Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and Brazil.

During the three years of ownership by EQT Private Equity, schülke developed from a corporate subsidiary into a focused standalone company and leading healthcare infection prevention and treatment player. Key to this transformation was the strategic repositioning to focus exclusively on the healthcare and life sciences industry through the sale of the Personal Care business. Further achievements were the geographic expansion to Northern and Southern Europe, the establishment of a direct patient care channel and substantial investments into innovation and new product developments. In addition, the organization has become even more customer-centric and important operational improvements have been done at the production sites. 

Central to the partnership of schülke and EQT Private Equity has been the delivery of a customer-centric sustainability strategy, positioning the company as a key partner to its clients in supporting their efforts in making the healthcare industry more sustainable. During the last three years, schülke established a pioneering green hospital-grade product line, transitioned to almost 100% green electricity, and signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative, with the target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% by 2030. 

Together with the ATHOS Consortium, schülke will continue to expand its well-defined strategy to underpin its position as an undisputed partner of choice for the healthcare industry. Building on its almost 135-year long heritage of providing high quality, holistic infection prevention and treatment solutions, the company will continue its ambitious sustainability agenda, accelerate investments in new innovations, further improve customer proximity and expand geographically.

Stefan Kukacka, CEO of schülke, said: “As we look ahead to the next chapter in the development of schülke, we would like to thank EQT Private Equity for their trust and the collaboration over past years. They have closely supported our strategic repositioning and been an important partner for the definition of our strategy and key strategic projects. I would also like to extend a big thank you to all schülke employees, which have contributed to the transformation and are the key reason for the successes achieved until today. We are excited to have the ATHOS Consortium as our new owner to support us in the next phase of our growth course, as we are committed continue to deliver the highest service to our customers.”

Matthias Wittkowski, Partner within EQT Private Equity’s Advisory Team, said: “We are proud to have contributed to the strategic and sustainability transformation of schülke. During the last three years, we have been impressed by the dedication of the entire organization and how everyone at the Company contributes to its mission to “protect lives worldwide”. Together we have created the great business schülke is today, being fantastically positioned for the future. Looking ahead, I believe that the ATHOS Consortium is a great partner for schülke as the business continues to execute on its healthcare-focused growth strategy.”

Wolfgang Essler, General Manager at ATHOS, said: “For almost 135 years, schülke has been a pioneer in infection prevention and treatment with innovative high-quality products, trusted brands like octenisept, and a distinct focus on sustainability. The Company’s heritage matches our philosophy as a long-term oriented investor. We are proud to be partnering in this investment with a consortium of entrepreneurial family offices. We are excited to support schülke, its management, and all employees in being the most reliable partner to its customers and end-users.”

Details of the agreement and the commercial terms of the transaction are not disclosed following agreement between all parties. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. It is expected to close in Q4 2023.