Merz Group Unveils New OTC Business Player for the New Year
At the turn of the year, Merz Lifecare and WindStar Medical completed their merger, resulting in the formation of a joint holding company. The two OTC businesses will now operate under the new name, Merz Lifecare Holding GmbH. The Merz Group holds the majority stake in the newly established European leader in the OTC sector, while Oakley Capital, the former owner of WindStar Medical, will retain a minority share.
The merger of Merz Lifecare and WindStar Medical marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the Merz Group’s over-the-counter (OTC) business, and Managing Director Hans-Jörg Bergler is enthusiastic about the progress made so far. He expressed his satisfaction with the rapid regulatory approvals, stating, “The two businesses complement each other very well, and with the merger, we are consistently advancing our OTC business. I am particularly excited about our future collaboration with Oakley Capital, which, as a minority shareholder, aims to help drive the business forward alongside Merz.”
The Merz Group has a long-established presence in the healthcare industry, with Merz Lifecare being well-known in German-speaking countries for its successful brands, including tetesept and Merz Spezial. Over the last eight years, Merz Lifecare has seen a remarkable doubling of its turnover, further solidifying its position in the market. On the other hand, WindStar Medical, also based in Frankfurt, has built a strong portfolio of healthcare brands such as SOS and Zirkulin. These brands are largely complementary to Merz Lifecare’s existing product range, making the merger an ideal opportunity to enhance their combined presence in the OTC sector.
Under the new structure, Merz Lifecare and WindStar Medical will operate as Merz Lifecare Holding GmbH, combining their strengths and expanding their reach. The Merz Group management of the new entity will be led by Xenia Barth and Steven Potschull, who have been appointed as the managing directors of Merz Lifecare Holding. With their leadership, the Merz Group aims to strengthen its position in the healthcare market and continue its growth trajectory.
Phillip Burchard, CEO of the Merz Group and Chairman of the Merz Holding Board, emphasized the potential for further growth in the sector: “By merging these two strong businesses under a common holding company, we see tremendous opportunity in the healthcare market. We are confident that Merz Lifecare will continue its impressive organic growth, benefiting from even more momentum moving forward.” This merger represents a strategic move to consolidate resources and accelerate growth within the highly competitive OTC market.
The Merz Group, which has been family-owned for more than 116 years, is a diversified global healthcare company based in Frankfurt. Known for its innovative approach, long-term vision, and commitment to profitable growth, Merz operates across several key sectors. These include Merz Aesthetics, Merz Therapeutics, Merz Consumer Care, Merz Immobilien, Merz Financial Investments, and Merz Private Markets. The company has a global workforce of 4,727 employees as of FY23/24, operating in 30 countries worldwide.
Merz Lifecare, a key part of the Merz Consumer Care division, is focused on supporting individuals in leading healthy lives and taking control of their health and well-being. The brand portfolio includes tetesept, Merz Spezial, and Brooklyn Soap Company, all of which offer a wide range of innovative and high-quality products designed to cater to different consumer needs. The Merz prides itself on being agile and future-oriented, with a dedicated research and development team working to create products that are not only beneficial for people but also environmentally sustainable. Drawing on the expertise of both nature and science, Merz Lifecare’s products are designed to meet the evolving needs of its consumers.
Merz Lifecare operates under Merz Consumer Care GmbH, a company based in Frankfurt am Main that is one of the leading providers of health, wellness, and beauty products in the DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) region. In addition to its Merz strong presence in the DACH market, Merz Lifecare products are also distributed through partners in over 20 countries globally, helping to extend the reach of its brand and bring its innovative products to a broader audience.
In summary, the merger of Merz Lifecare and WindStar Medical brings together two highly complementary businesses, setting the stage for continued growth and success in the OTC market. With the support of Oakley Capital as a minority shareholder, Merz Lifecare Holding GmbH is poised to capitalize on its combined strengths and drive the future of healthcare innovation forward.
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