Alrupa is the new owner of Disch
As at May 8, 2015, Ricola Familienholding AG will sell all shares of Disch AG to the Swiss family business Alrupa Finanz Holding AG. The sale is a strategic move and will enable the companies to place increased focus on their core competencies. The acquisition will enable Alrupa to grow its pharmaceutical confectionery products business area.
As of today, Disch AG in Othmarsingen has a new owner, as Alrupa Finanz Holding AG, based in Altnau, is now responsible for its business. It is acquiring Disch AG from Ricola Familienholding AG of Laufen. All employees will continue their employment and the location in Othmarsingen will be maintained.
Since its acquisition by Ricola Familienholding AG in 1993, Disch AG has not only become a successful specialist in the contract manufacturing of confectionery products; it has also become increasingly involved in the production of pharmaceutical confectionery products. This fact played a role in the change in ownership structure. "Disch now successfully embodies different core competencies than its sister company Ricola. We have therefore decided to integrate Disch into a suitable business environment in which it can increasingly bring its strengths to bear," says Lukas Richterich, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ricola Familienholding AG, about the sale of the company. "We based our selection of the buyer on social and professional components in particular. The corporate culture and business model of Alrupa convinced us that Disch will be even better able to develop under its roof," explains Richterich.
The new owner, Alrupa Finanz Holding AG, is a new company founded by Rupaal Finanz Holding AG specializing in takeovers from corporate spin-offs and succession arrangements. With its acquisition of Disch AG, it is significantly increasing its activities in the area of pharmaceutical confectionery products. Alrupa already has a foothold in this sector (Joga Med AG). "Disch is an excellent addition. We want to become a leading provider of pharmaceutical confectionery products in Switzerland and the new expertise and increased capacities will help us to achieve that," says Paul Schnellmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alrupa Finanz Holding AG, about the acquisition.
The existing business relationship between Disch AG and Ricola will not be affected by the sale. The confectionery products in Ricola's Sportmint and herb drop brands will continue to be produced in Othmarsingen.
Information about Disch AG and Alrupa Finanz Holding AG
Disch AG is a leading European contract manufacturer of pharmaceutical specialty foods based on technologies for confectionery manufacturing. The company has been owned by Ricola Familienholding AG since 1993.
Alrupa Finanz Holding AG is a new company founded by Rupaal Finanz Holding AG specializing in takeovers from corporate spin-offs and succession arrangements. The Swiss family business owns companies in the areas of pharmaceutical confectionery products, mechanical engineering and retail.
About Ricola
Ricola AG is one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops. Ricola herb specialties are exported to more than 50 countries and are famous for their fine Swiss quality. Founded in 1930, with company headquarters in Laufen and subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and the USA, Ricola now produces around 60 different herb drops and tea specialties. Group sales amounted to CHF 315.9 million at the end of 2014.
In Switzerland, this family-owned company is a pioneer in herb cultivation and places great value on using carefully selected locations and controlled, environmentally friendly cultivation methods without the use of pesticides and herbicides. Ricola has concluded fixed long-term purchase agreements with more than 100 farmers in Swiss mountain regions.
Ricola is a responsible employer of more than 400 staff and is committed to sustainable corporate management: economically, socially and ecologically. The traditional values of a family-run enterprise coupled with Swiss quality and a passion for innovation are crucial factors in the success of the Ricola global brand.