Who Owns Coloplast Company?

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Who Owns Coloplast?

Understanding Coloplast's ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and market influence. This global medical device leader, founded in Denmark in 1957, has a rich history rooted in improving patient quality of life.

Tracing Coloplast's ownership reveals how its journey from a small Danish company to a multinational giant has been shaped by its stakeholders. The company's commitment to innovation, evident in products like the Coloplast BCG Matrix, is intrinsically linked to its ownership structure.

The ownership of Coloplast A/S is primarily characterized by a significant stake held by the Louis-Hansen Foundation, which was established by the company's founder, Aage Louis-Hansen. This foundation plays a crucial role in the long-term governance and strategic direction of the company. Beyond the foundation, a substantial portion of Coloplast's shares are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange, meaning a wide array of institutional investors and individual shareholders also hold ownership. As of the 2023/24 financial year, Coloplast reported total revenue of DKK 27,030 million, a 10% increase, underscoring its robust market performance which attracts diverse investment.

The foundation of Coloplast is built on a compassionate response to a personal need. Nurse Elise Sørensen's innovative idea for the first adhesive ostomy bag in 1954, aimed at helping her sister Thora, was brought to life by civil engineer Aage Louis-Hansen and his wife, nurse Johanne Louis-Hansen. This collaboration marked the beginning of a company dedicated to improving lives through medical devices.

Founding Vision

The company's inception in 1957 was driven by a desire to solve a critical problem for ostomy patients. Nurse Elise Sørensen's concept addressed the significant challenges faced by individuals post-surgery.

Pioneering Innovation

Aage Louis-Hansen, a plastics producer, partnered with his wife Johanne Louis-Hansen to develop the world's first adhesive ostomy bag. This groundbreaking product laid the groundwork for the company's future success.

Family Involvement

The Louis-Hansen family played a pivotal role from the company's inception. Their dedication and vision were instrumental in guiding the early stages of the company's growth and development.

Transition to Public Ownership

Aage Louis-Hansen led the company through its initial public offering in 1983. This marked a significant step in making the company's ownership more broadly accessible.

Generational Leadership

Following Aage Louis-Hansen's passing, his son Niels Peter Louis-Hansen joined the board in 1966. This demonstrated a continued family commitment to the company's strategic direction.

Early Ownership Structure

While precise initial equity details are not public, the Louis-Hansen family's deep involvement underscores their foundational ownership. Johanne Louis-Hansen remained active until the early 1970s.

Coloplast Company Ownership History

The early ownership of Coloplast was characterized by the foundational role of its founders, the Louis-Hansen family. This family's commitment extended through generations, shaping the company's trajectory from its inception as a privately held entity to its eventual public offering.

• Founded in 1957 by Aage Louis-Hansen and Johanne Louis-Hansen, inspired by Elise Sørensen's idea.
• Aage Louis-Hansen took the company public in 1983.
• Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, son of Aage, joined the board in 1966.
• The family's influence was significant in the company's formative years.
• Understanding the Target Market of Coloplast provides context for the company's early product development.

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Coloplast's ownership journey has seen a consistent family influence alongside a growing base of institutional and individual investors. The company's structure reflects a commitment to long-term stability, with significant voting power concentrated to ensure strategic continuity.

The foundation of Coloplast's ownership rests with the Louis-Hansen family, whose influence is maintained through various holding entities. Coloplast Holding ApS, a key entity, directly holds a substantial portion of the company's capital and voting rights. This structure is further solidified by NPLH Holding ApS and Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansen A/S, both ultimately controlled by the family. Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, a direct descendant of the founder, is the largest individual shareholder, owning 20.7% of the company as of September 2024. His strategic vision for the company's long-term development is evident in the establishment of a joint holding company with the Aage & Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation in June 2023, designed to manage approximately 30% of the company's capital and over 50% of its votes.

Key Stakeholders in Coloplast

Understanding who owns Coloplast reveals a blend of family legacy and global investment. The company's shareholding is diverse, with a significant portion held by institutional investors and individual shareholders.

• The Louis-Hansen family maintains significant control through Coloplast Holding ApS, representing 29.49% of share capital and 51.36% of voting rights.
• Niels Peter Louis-Hansen is the largest individual shareholder, holding 20.7% of the company as of September 2024.
• Individual investors collectively own approximately 40% of Coloplast as of June 12, 2025.
• Major institutional investors such as BlackRock, Inc. and The Vanguard Group, Inc. are among the significant external shareholders.
• The top 20 shareholders collectively own 50% of the company, indicating a distributed ownership among major holders.

Beyond the foundational family ownership, Coloplast's shareholder base includes a substantial number of individual and institutional investors. As of June 12, 2025, individual investors collectively account for approximately 40% of the company's ownership, with private companies holding another 30%. Institutional investors, particularly those based outside Denmark, are also prominent, holding 39% of Coloplast's shares as of September 30, 2024. This global investor presence includes entities like BlackRock, Inc., The Vanguard Group, Inc., Comgest S.A., Baillie Gifford & Co., and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. The collective holdings of the top 20 shareholders amount to 50% of the company, illustrating a broad distribution of ownership among its major stakeholders. This diverse ownership structure ensures a wide range of perspectives contribute to the company's strategic direction, complementing the long-term vision of the founding family. Examining the Competitors Landscape of Coloplast provides further context on the market dynamics influencing these ownership patterns.

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The Board of Directors for Coloplast A/S is structured to balance major shareholder interests with independent oversight. As of December 5, 2024, Lars Søren Rasmussen continues as Chairman, with Niels Peter Louis-Hansen serving as Deputy Chairman. The board also includes Annette Brüls, Carsten Hellmann, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, and Marianne Wiinholt, alongside three employee-elected members.

Coloplast's voting power is significantly influenced by its dual-class share system. Each Class A share carries ten votes, while each Class B share has one vote. This arrangement concentrates control with holders of Class A shares, predominantly the Louis-Hansen family and associated entities. For example, Coloplast Holding ApS, holding 29.49% of the share capital, exercises 51.36% of the voting rights. As of September 30, 2024, 98% of all shares were registered, a requirement for voting rights according to the Articles of Association.

Shareholder Influence and Voting Power

The voting structure at Coloplast heavily favors Class A shareholders, primarily the founding family. This concentration of voting power means that a significant portion of decisions can be influenced by a select group.

• Class A shares grant ten votes per share, while Class B shares grant one vote per share.
• Coloplast Holding ApS, representing the founding family's interests, controls a majority of voting rights.
• At the December 5, 2024 Annual General Meeting, 9% of shareholders opposed the remuneration report, rising to 18% when excluding the founding family.
• Similarly, 6% of shareholders, or 13% excluding the founding family, did not support the re-election of the Chairman, indicating concerns among other Coloplast shareholders.
• Understanding this ownership dynamic is key to grasping Mission, Vision & Core Values of Coloplast and the company's strategic direction.

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Recent strategic maneuvers and ongoing family involvement continue to shape Coloplast's ownership landscape. The Louis-Hansen family, through a dedicated holding company established in June 2023, aims to maintain stable, long-term control, targeting approximately 30% of the company's capital and 52% of its votes.

Coloplast's financial performance remains robust, with 8% organic growth and a 27% EBIT margin in Q1 2024/25. Full-year 2023/24 revenue reached DKK 27,030 million, a 10% increase year-over-year. The company's strategic acquisitions, including Atos Medical for €2.16 billion in November 2021 and Kerecis, which contributed 4% to FY 2023/24 revenue growth, alongside the divestment of its Skin Care portfolio in December 2024, indicate a focus on streamlining operations and enhancing profitability in key areas like Advanced Wound Care. The upcoming Capital Markets Day on September 2, 2025, is anticipated to outline the company's new 5-year strategy, potentially influencing future ownership trends.

Louis-Hansen Family's Long-Term Vision

The Louis-Hansen family is actively working to ensure stable, long-term ownership through a dedicated holding company. This structure is designed to maintain significant control over the company's future direction.

Institutional Investor Activity

Institutional investors, particularly those based outside Denmark, represent a substantial portion of Coloplast's shareholder base. Their holdings have seen shifts, with a notable decrease in percentage from September 2024 to June 2025.

Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures

Coloplast has engaged in significant M&A activity, including the acquisition of Atos Medical and Kerecis, alongside the divestment of its Skin Care portfolio. These moves aim to optimize the business and enhance profitability.

Future Strategic Outlook

The upcoming Capital Markets Day in September 2025 will reveal the company's new 5-year strategy. This event is crucial for understanding potential future ownership trends and strategic priorities, building on the Growth Strategy of Coloplast.

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