Who Owns ALSO Holding Company?

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Who Owns ALSO Holding Company?

Understanding the ownership structure of a company like ALSO Holding AG is crucial for discerning its strategic direction, governance, and long-term influence in the dynamic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. A pivotal event in ALSO's recent history, highlighting the significance of ownership, was the completion of its strategic partnership and acquisition of Westcoast in February 2025, a move set to make ALSO the largest European technology provider. This acquisition not only expands its market reach but also integrates Westcoast's experienced management, with its Chairman, Joe Hemani, becoming a major shareholder in ALSO, significantly reshaping the ownership landscape.

ALSO Holding AG, a leading technology provider operating as a B2B marketplace for the ICT industry, was founded in 1984 in Emmen, Switzerland. The company's original vision was to connect vendors and resellers, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software, and IT services, thereby enabling partners to efficiently deliver IT solutions to end customers. Today, ALSO stands as one of the preeminent players in technology distribution, with reported sales exceeding €11 billion in 2024 and a market capitalization of approximately CHF 3.32 billion as of July 14, 2025. Its extensive ecosystem serves around 135,000 resellers across 31 European countries and 144 countries worldwide via PaaS partners, demonstrating its significant market position and the intricate network of stakeholders involved in its ownership and operations.

Delving into the ownership of ALSO Holding Company reveals a blend of institutional backing and significant individual stakes, particularly following strategic acquisitions. The recent integration of Westcoast, which brought Joe Hemani into the fold as a major shareholder, underscores the dynamic nature of ALSO Holding Company shareholders. This evolution impacts the overall ALSO Holding Company structure and its key stakeholders. As a publicly traded entity, understanding who owns ALSO Holding is essential for grasping its corporate governance and strategic decision-making processes. The company's financial performance, as evidenced by its substantial sales in 2024, is often a reflection of its ownership's confidence and direction.

The ownership breakdown of ALSO Holding is a key factor for investors and industry observers alike. While a significant portion of shares is held by institutional investors, individual stakeholders, like Joe Hemani, play a crucial role in shaping the company's trajectory. This mix influences how the company is financed and its overall market strategy. The history of ALSO Holding Company ownership shows a progression towards consolidation and strategic growth, with key investors often aligning with the company's expansion plans, such as the integration of new businesses. The market capitalization of ALSO Holding, standing at approximately CHF 3.32 billion in mid-July 2025, reflects the market's valuation of this ownership structure and its future potential.

Examining the primary shareholders of ALSO Holding Company provides insight into the driving forces behind its operations. The company's status as a publicly traded entity means that a diverse group of individuals and institutions constitute its ownership. The management team, including the CEO, also plays a vital role in the company's governance and strategic direction. The history of ALSO Holding Company ownership is marked by key milestones that have attracted both institutional and individual investors, contributing to its robust market presence. The company's business segments and its overall financial performance are closely watched by its stakeholders.

The intricate web of who owns ALSO Holding Company is central to understanding its strategic direction and market positioning. The influence of major shareholders, coupled with the broader base of public shareholders, shapes the company's approach to innovation and market expansion. The ALSO Holding BCG Matrix, for instance, would likely be influenced by the strategic priorities of its principal owners. The company's headquarters in Switzerland and its extensive global reach further complicate the ownership landscape, involving various regulatory and market considerations for its stakeholders.

ALSO Holding AG was established in 1984, marking the beginning of its journey in the IT distribution sector. While the specific equity distribution among its founders is not publicly detailed, this initial phase was crucial in setting the stage for its future growth and public market presence.

The company's trajectory saw a significant development when it was listed on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986, making its ownership structure more transparent to the public. This move was a key step in its evolution from a private entity to a publicly traded company, influencing its access to capital and its overall corporate governance.

A pivotal moment in its early ownership history occurred in 1988 when Schindler Holding AG acquired a majority stake. This acquisition by a prominent industrial entity provided substantial corporate backing, likely injecting vital capital and strategic guidance that shaped ALSO's initial development and operational framework within the competitive IT distribution landscape.

Founding Year

ALSO Holding AG commenced operations in 1984.

Initial Public Offering

The company became publicly traded on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986.

Majority Ownership Change

In 1988, Schindler Holding AG became the majority owner.

Impact of Early Ownership

This early corporate backing provided essential capital and strategic direction.

Sector Focus

The company's early strategy focused on the growing IT distribution market.

Founder Equity Details

Specific details on the founders' initial equity stakes are not publicly available.

Early Corporate Influence

The acquisition by Schindler Holding AG in 1988 significantly influenced ALSO's formative years. This strategic partnership provided the financial resources and industry insights necessary for the company to establish a strong foothold and develop its operational capabilities within the IT distribution sector. The involvement of a major industrial player during this critical period likely set the tone for the company's future growth strategies and its approach to market challenges, underscoring the importance of early corporate relationships in shaping a company's trajectory. Understanding this early ownership dynamic is key to grasping the historical context of ALSO Holding Company ownership and its subsequent development, including its Marketing Strategy of ALSO Holding.

• Founding in 1984
• Public listing in 1986
• Majority ownership by Schindler Holding AG in 1988
• Strategic capital and direction from early corporate backing
• Focus on the IT distribution market

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The ownership journey of ALSO Holding AG has seen significant shifts since its public debut in 1986. A key development was its majority acquisition by Schindler Holding AG in 1988. The landscape further transformed on February 9, 2011, with the merger of Actebis of Germany and ALSO Holding, creating ALSO-Actebis Holding, headquartered in Switzerland. The company later reverted to its original name, ALSO Holding AG, on March 14, 2013, marking a new chapter in its corporate identity.

Special Distribution Holding GmbH, a subsidiary of Droege Group AG, stands as the principal stakeholder in ALSO Holding AG, commanding a substantial 51.30 percent of the shares. Droege Group, established in 1988, operates as an independent investment and consulting firm with a strong family ownership foundation. Its core strategy revolves around enhancing corporate value through bespoke transformation programs, focusing on long-term investments in mid-sized enterprises and spin-offs.

Beyond its primary majority shareholder, ALSO Holding AG benefits from a robust and diverse base of institutional investors. As of July 14, 2025, the company has 12.3 million shares outstanding, indicating a broad distribution of ownership. This wide array of institutional backing, including prominent names like The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Invesco Ltd., Mirabaud Asset Management (Europe) S.A., and Evli Fund Management Company Ltd., underscores a globally diversified, long-term investment perspective, contributing to the company's operational stability and strategic growth trajectory.

Understanding ALSO Holding Company Ownership

The ownership structure of ALSO Holding Company is characterized by a clear majority shareholder and a broad base of institutional investors. This distribution influences the company's strategic direction and financial stability.

• Majority ownership by Special Distribution Holding GmbH (Droege Group AG).
• Significant holdings by institutional investors like UBS Asset Management AG and Jh Topco Limited.
• A diversified international shareholder base provides long-term stability.
• The company is publicly traded, contributing to its broad ownership.

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The Board of Directors at ALSO Holding AG is instrumental in guiding the company's strategic direction and ensuring robust corporate governance. As of the Annual General Meeting held on March 19, 2025, the board comprises Gustavo Möller-Hergt, who serves as Chairman, Walter P.J. Droege as Vice Chairman, and directors Peter Athanas, Ernest-W. Droege, Thomas Fürer, and Frank Tanski. This composition highlights the significant influence of key stakeholders, particularly the Droege Group, which is the majority shareholder, represented by Walter P.J. Droege and Ernest-W. Droege.

Gustavo Möller-Hergt's long-standing tenure, since 2014 as Chairman and since 2011 as CEO of ALSO Group, along with his prior role as Chief Representative at Droege Group, underscores a deep connection between the company's leadership and its primary owner. Committee leadership is also clearly defined, with Peter Athanas heading the Compensation and Nomination Committee, and Thomas Fürer chairing both the Audit and Sustainability Committees. This structure ensures focused oversight across critical areas of the business.

The voting power within ALSO Holding AG is primarily governed by a one-share-one-vote principle for registered shareholders. However, the company's Articles of Incorporation include provisions that grant the Board discretion in managing significant shareholdings. Specifically, an acquirer must be recognized by the company to exercise voting rights, and the company can refuse entry in the share register if an applicant does not declare beneficial ownership or if their shares would exceed 5% of the total, unless specific exceptions are met. This framework allows for a degree of control over who can exercise voting rights, thereby influencing the overall ownership structure and decision-making processes. Board decisions are made by a simple majority, with the Chairman holding a casting vote in the event of a tie. The company's commitment to shareholder value was evident at the March 19, 2025, Annual General Meeting, where a record dividend of CHF 5.10 was approved, marking the 13th consecutive increase and reflecting strong financial performance and confidence in the company's management and Competitors Landscape of ALSO Holding.

Key Governance Aspects

The corporate governance of ALSO Holding AG emphasizes the influence of its majority shareholder and provides the Board with mechanisms to manage shareholdings.

• Majority shareholder representation on the Board.
• Board discretion in recognizing new shareholders and voting rights.
• One-share-one-vote principle for registered shareholders.
• Chairman's casting vote in case of board tie-votes.

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In the last 3-5 years, ALSO Holding AG has been actively shaping its ownership landscape through strategic maneuvers. A pivotal development is the acquisition of Westcoast, which, upon completion by February 28, 2025, following regulatory approvals, will position ALSO as Europe's largest technology provider. This integration includes Westcoast's operations across Great Britain, Ireland, and France, and importantly, Westcoast's Chairman, Joe Hemani, is set to become a significant shareholder in ALSO. This move exemplifies a strategy of growth via acquisition, expanding geographic reach and market share, which can lead to a broader distribution of ownership and the introduction of new major investors.

Further bolstering its ecosystem, ALSO has completed acquisitions such as SWS and Entec in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on August 16, 2024, and entered into a preliminary agreement with Datamatic in Italy on February 2, 2024. These inorganic growth strategies contribute to a more diversified ownership structure as the company may issue shares or integrate new entities. The company has demonstrated consistent financial strength, with preliminary 2024 revenues reaching approximately €11.0 billion and a record cash balance of around €731 million. This financial health supports its dividend policy and future investment capabilities, including potential share buybacks. A share buyback program, if implemented, would reduce the number of outstanding shares, potentially increasing the ownership percentage for existing shareholders. The Annual General Meeting on March 19, 2025, approved an increased dividend of CHF 5.10, underscoring a commitment to shareholder value. The planned succession of Wolfgang Krainz as the new CEO in April 2024, alongside an optimized Group Management Board with a strong sales focus, highlights a dedication to future growth. These developments collectively point to an ongoing strategy of acquisition-driven expansion, a focus on digital platforms, and the continued stability provided by Droege Group as a long-term majority shareholder, while managing a diverse base of institutional investors.

The ownership trends at ALSO Holding Company reflect a dynamic strategy focused on expansion and shareholder value. The company's consistent financial performance, with preliminary 2024 revenues around €11.0 billion and a robust cash balance of approximately €731 million, provides a solid foundation for its growth initiatives and dividend policy. This financial strength is crucial for executing strategic acquisitions and managing its diverse institutional investor base. Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of ALSO Holding provides context for these strategic decisions, which aim to solidify its market position and enhance long-term shareholder returns.

Strategic Acquisitions Drive Growth

Recent acquisitions, such as Westcoast and SWS/Entec, are key to expanding ALSO's market presence. These moves are designed to integrate new operations and expertise, positioning the company for leadership in the European technology sector. Such expansion often leads to shifts in the ownership structure.

Financial Strength Supports Shareholder Value

With preliminary 2024 revenues of €11.0 billion and a strong cash position, ALSO demonstrates financial stability. This enables the company to pursue growth strategies and maintain its commitment to shareholders through dividends, such as the approved CHF 5.10 dividend for 2025.

Management and Governance Focus

The planned succession of Wolfgang Krainz as CEO in April 2024 signals a focus on future leadership and strategic direction. An optimized Group Management Board with a strong sales orientation is in place to guide the company's continued development and market engagement.

Majority Shareholder Stability

Droege Group continues to serve as a stable, long-term majority shareholder for ALSO Holding Company. This provides a consistent strategic anchor as the company navigates market dynamics and pursues its ambitious growth objectives.

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