Rheine/ Munich — The Ossenberg Group takes over Ganymed, based in Berg near Munich. The leading German manufacturer of aids for the walking impaired thus expands its product portfolio and confirms its expansion strategy with the acquisition of the company, which has been highly decorated with many design and product awards. Carsten Diekmann, Managing Director of the Ossenberg Group says: “With the acquisition we can further expand our already strong market position in the DACH region. With the Ganymede brand and the outstanding design products, we can now accompany our customers even more comprehensively.” He said the acquisition was a major entrepreneurial step forward. “We will continue to expand internationally with the Ganymede brand.”
The previous managing director and founder Karen Ostertag is leaving the company with immediate effect for reasons of age. Production of the Ganymede walking aids will in future take place at the Ossenberg site in Rheine. This means that Ganymede products remain “Made in Germany”. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial information about the transaction.
Ganymede serves customers from hobby athletes to professionals
Architecture and modern bionic design of Ganymede forearm supports are unique in the market and are especially appreciated by athletes — from professionals to amateurs and hobbyists.
The Ossenberg Group develops, produces and distributes forearm walking aids, light metal canes and orthopedic aids. The medium-sized company, with around 100 employees, has been selling its products through specialist dealers for around six decades — in recent years also very successfully worldwide.
The Osnabrück-based family equity company zwei.7 acquired a stake in the traditional company in 2019. For zwei.7, the now completed acquisition of Ganymede is an important step for the buy & build strategy of the Ossenberg Group, which has been pursued from the beginning. “We are pleased to expand the product portfolio of the Ossenberg Group with this acquisition and thus further strengthen our market position in Europe, says Karsten Wulf, founder and CEO of the zwei.7 Group. “The Ossenberg Group has pursued a convincing growth strategy in recent years and, as a medium-sized company from Rheine, has built up a quality brand worldwide with its products in the mobility industry. The acquisition of Ganymed now completes the product portfolio,” says Karsten Wulf.
About two.7
The zwei.7 group was founded in 2018 by Karsten Wulf (photo) in Osnabrück. The family equity house invests in high-growth medium-sized companies and takes entrepreneurial risks with equity capital. The aim is to establish and expand a European health care cluster of small and medium-sized successful companies, and in doing so to contribute Karsten Wulf’s decades of experience as a medium-sized entrepreneur.
About Ossenberg
The Ossenberg Group is the leading German manufacturer of orthopedic aids for the walking impaired. Founded in 2007 in Rheine in eastern Westphalia, the traditional company now sells its products worldwide. Last summer, Ossenberg took over its competitor Erwin Kowsky from Neumünster. The Ossenberg Group employs around 100 people and reported sales of €16.7 million in 2019.