ALSO Holding Bundle

Who Owns ALSO Holding AG?
ALSO Holding AG, a prominent B2B marketplace for ICT, has a history rooted in connecting technology vendors and resellers. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Emmen, Switzerland, it has evolved into a significant player in the European IT landscape.

Understanding the ownership of a company like ALSO Holding AG is crucial for grasping its strategic direction and market influence. Its journey from a private entity to a publicly traded company has involved key shifts in its shareholder base.
Who Owns ALSO Holding AG?The ownership structure of ALSO Holding AG is primarily characterized by its public listing on the Swiss stock exchange. This means a significant portion of the company is owned by its public shareholders, who buy and sell shares on the open market. While specific major individual or institutional blockholders are not publicly detailed in the provided information, the company's market capitalization of CHF 3.48 billion as of July 2025 indicates a broad base of investors. The company's growth, with net sales of €11.0 billion in 2024 and strong performance in the first half of 2025, including a 34% EBITDA increase, reflects investor confidence. For a deeper understanding of its market position, one might consider an ALSO Holding Porter's Five Forces Analysis.
Who Founded ALSO Holding?
The journey of ALSO Holding Company began in 1984, with its subsequent listing on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986. While the specific identities of the founders and their initial equity stakes are not widely publicized, the company's early years saw a significant consolidation of ownership.
ALSO Holding AG was established in 1984. It became a publicly traded entity on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986, marking its entry into the public markets. By 1988, merely four years after its founding, Schindler Holding AG acquired a majority stake in the company. This rapid transition highlighted an early strategic shift in the ALSO Holding Company structure. A significant development occurred in 2011 when the company merged its operations with Germany's Actebis. This led to a temporary renaming of the entity to ALSO-Actebis Holding. The company reverted to its original name, ALSO Holding AG, in 2013. This period of mergers and name changes reflects a strategic focus on market expansion and consolidation within the ALSO Holding Company structure. These early ownership changes and business integrations were pivotal in shaping the company's trajectory. They underscore a strategic vision aimed at strengthening its market position and expanding its reach. As a publicly traded entity, the ownership of ALSO Holding Company is distributed among various shareholders. Understanding the history of its ownership provides insight into its current market standing. |
The early history of ALSO Holding Company is characterized by a rapid evolution in its ownership structure, moving from its founding in 1984 to becoming majority-owned by Schindler Holding AG by 1988. This period also saw strategic mergers, such as the one with Actebis in 2011, which temporarily altered the company's name before it reverted to ALSO Holding AG in 2013. These foundational events were crucial in defining the company's path and its approach to market consolidation. For a deeper understanding of the company's guiding principles, one can explore the Mission, Vision & Core Values of ALSO Holding.
The ownership of ALSO Holding Company has seen significant shifts since its inception, influencing its growth and strategic direction.
- Founded in 1984 and listed on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986.
- Majority-owned by Schindler Holding AG starting in 1988.
- Merged with Actebis in 2011, briefly becoming ALSO-Actebis Holding.
- Reverted to the name ALSO Holding AG in 2013.
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How Has ALSO Holding’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
The ownership landscape of ALSO Holding Company has seen a significant shift towards private majority control. This evolution has been shaped by strategic acquisitions and a growing number of individual investors participating in its growth.
Shareholder | Percentage of Shares (as of Dec 2024) |
---|---|
Special Distribution Holding GmbH (Droege Group AG) | 51.30% |
Free Float | 48.70% |
UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) | 5.47% |
J. Safra Sarasin Investmentfonds AG, Basel (Switzerland) | 3.20% |
ALSO Holding AG (Treasury Shares) | 4.64% |
JH Topco Limited (for Joe Hemani) | 3.73% (upon transaction completion) |
The journey of ALSO Holding Company's ownership began with its listing on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986. Over the years, the number of shareholders has expanded considerably, reflecting increased public interest and investment. The Droege Group, a family-owned investment firm, became the majority shareholder, holding over 51 percent of the shares as of December 2024. This majority ownership by the Droege Group significantly influences the company's strategic direction, emphasizing long-term value creation and alignment with global megatrends. The company's transformation into a leading technology provider, moving beyond its origins as a distributor, is a testament to this strategic focus, as detailed in its Marketing Strategy of ALSO Holding.
Understanding who owns ALSO Holding Company reveals a structure with a dominant private majority and a substantial free float. This ownership breakdown impacts the company's governance and strategic decision-making.
- Special Distribution Holding GmbH, part of Droege Group AG, is the primary majority shareholder with 51.30% of the shares as of December 2024.
- The free float represents 48.70% of the shares, held by a growing number of individual and institutional investors.
- The number of shareholders has grown from approximately 800 in 2012 to 4,961 shareholders across 35 countries by the end of 2024.
- Key institutional investors include UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) and J. Safra Sarasin Investmentfonds AG.
- A portion of outstanding stock, 3.73%, is slated for transfer to Joe Hemani upon the completion of the Westcoast transaction in early 2025.
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Who Sits on ALSO Holding’s Board?
The Board of Directors at ALSO Holding AG is instrumental in guiding the company's strategic direction and managing its relationships with key stakeholders. As of March 2025, the board comprises Peter Athanas, Walter P.J. Droege, Ernest-W. Droege, Thomas Fürer, Frank Tanski, and Gustavo Möller-Hergt, who presides as Chairman. Walter P.J. Droege, also serving as Vice Chairman, holds significant leadership roles within Droege Group AG, the majority shareholder, underscoring the group's substantial influence on ALSO Holding's governance.
Board Member | Role | Affiliation/Key Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Gustavo Möller-Hergt | Chairman | |
Walter P.J. Droege | Vice Chairman | Founder, Sole Director, Member of Supervisory Boards, and CEO of Droege Group AG |
Peter Athanas | Board Member | Chairs the Compensation and Nomination Committee |
Ernest-W. Droege | Board Member | |
Thomas Fürer | Board Member | |
Frank Tanski | Board Member |
The voting power within ALSO Holding AG adheres to a strict one-share-one-vote principle, meaning each of the 12,848,962 fully paid-in shares carries equal voting rights and entitlement to dividends. However, the company's Articles of Incorporation include a provision that allows the company to prevent an unrecognized acquirer from exercising voting rights attached to shares, offering a layer of control over new significant shareholders. Shareholders can delegate their voting rights through written power of attorney to individuals or an Independent Proxy, who are bound to follow shareholder instructions. While direct proxy battles are not a frequent public occurrence, the substantial ownership by Droege Group significantly shapes the company's decision-making processes, making them a primary influence on who controls ALSO Holding Company.
Understanding the voting structure is key to grasping ALSO Holding Company ownership. The Droege Group's majority stake means their influence is paramount in strategic decisions.
- One-share-one-vote principle
- Droege Group AG is the majority shareholder
- Articles of Incorporation can manage new shareholder rights
- Shareholders can grant proxy voting rights
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped ALSO Holding’s Ownership Landscape?
In the last 3-5 years, ALSO Holding Company has been actively pursuing strategic growth through acquisitions and a strong push towards digital transformation. The company reported significant financial gains in the first half of 2025, with EBITDA up by 34% and revenue by 35%, largely due to operational efficiencies, its digital platforms, and successful acquisitions.
Financial Metric | H1 2025 Performance | Key Drivers |
---|---|---|
EBITDA | +34% | Operational excellence, digital platforms |
Revenue | +35% | Operational excellence, digital platforms, acquisitions |
Cloud Platform Users | +34% | Contribution to revenue |
A key development for 2025 is the planned acquisition of Westcoast, which is set to enhance ALSO's presence in the UK, Ireland, and France. This acquisition, pending regulatory approval, is expected to finalize in the first quarter of 2025 and represents a strategic move to scale operations and capitalize on market opportunities. The company is also exploring a share buyback program, which could influence ownership concentration by returning capital to shareholders.
Recent acquisitions, including Solytron Bulgaria in 2019 and further deals in Italy, Austria, Scandinavia, and the Czech Republic, align with industry consolidation trends. These moves expand ALSO Holding Company's market reach and capabilities.
The company's investment in digital platforms, particularly its cloud offering, has seen a 34% increase in unique users. This digital focus is a significant contributor to revenue and operational success.
The ICT sector often sees increasing institutional ownership and founder dilution as companies mature. ALSO Holding Company's growth strategy and expanding free float reflect these broader market dynamics, indicating a diversified shareholder base.
Public statements highlight a commitment to investing in its ecosystem, including digital platforms and acquisitions, to leverage megatrends like AI and cybersecurity. This strategy is expected to influence future ownership dynamics and solidify its market position.
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