Celesio AG

2004

Combining logistics and distribution services for pharmaceutical manufacturers under the name of Movianto (until March 2006 AVS Health Distribution) as part of the new Celesio Solutions division. European expansion of these activities through acquisition of SEUR PHARMA Spain, Realpol Czech Republic, Sanalog Germany and Healthcare Logistics United Kingdom.

First wholesale acquisitions in South East Europe: Acquisition of a shareholding in Kemofarmacija/Slovenia, Pharmafarm/Romania, Unipharm/Croatia and Medika/Croatia.

Acquisition of the Portuguese pharmaceutical wholesale business, Soquifa-Medicamentos.

NMD Grossisthandel wins tender to supply the majority of Norwegian hospitals until the end of 2007.

Commitment model of GEHE Pharma Handel successfully launched on the German market with about 2,500 participating pharmacies and more than 25 industry partners.

2005

Corporate milestones achieved

For the first time in the company’s history, revenue has exceeded 20 billion euro.

For the first time, earnings exceeded half a billion euro (profit before tax).

For the first time, market capitalisation of over 6 billion euro (on 30/12/2005: 6.2 billion euro) was achieved.

For the first time, Celesio owns more than 2,000 pharmacies in Europe.

Broad, stable positioning with excellent prospects

Positioning in wholesale continues to be expanded. New pharmaceutical wholesale subsidiaries Soquifa-Medicamentos (Portugal) and Kemofarmacija (Slovenia) integrated.

Market position in the United Kingdom strengthened with the purchase of a group of 110 pharmacies.

Solutions division – innovative services providing everything relating to medicines – with good growth potential in the medium- and long-term without any direct government regulation.
Acquisitions of the first business unit Movianto (until March 2006 AVS Health Distribution) in the United Kingdom and Germany – Healthcare Logistics and Sanalog – consolidated for the first time.

Cash flow utilised for investments in all three divisions. Continuous modernisation of operational processes and improvement in the range of services.

2006

Convincing figures

Revenue and profit in core business have increased for twenty consecutive years.

Group revenue increased by 5.3 per cent, pre-tax profit increased by 6.4 per cent compared with the previous year, despite poor market growth in large markets.

Market capitalisation reaches all-time high in October with over 7 billion euro.

Progress through external and internal growth

Celesio Wholesale and Celesio Solutions open up a new market with the purchase of K.V. Tjellesen and Max Jenne in Denmark.

British pharmacies owned by Celesio win multiple awards for their commitment and services.

New name for Solutions business unit, Movianto, combines national logistics and distribution expertise with a multinational brand.

Cooperation with and participation in pharmexx forms basis for a second pillar for Celesio Solutions: sales and marketing solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Share split and conversion to registered shares make Celesio stock even more attractive.

2007

Celesio recorded growth for the 21st year in succession in 2007. Revenue improved by 3.6 per cent and EBITDA by 4.8 per cent. Celesio increased its profitability yet again.

Acquisition of DocMorris, Germany’s best-known pharmacy brand and Europe’s largest mail-order pharmacy.

Celesio Wholesale restructured its branch network in France.

Acquisition of 149 pharmacies in the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland.

Celesio held first cooperation talks in the Russian market.

2008

Market environment undergoing change

Celesio´s market environment was marked by a pronounced dynamic. On the one hand, the financial crisis combined with the economic downturn led to a global economic crisis.
On the other hand, the pharmaceutical market continued to undergo a fundamental transition which had begun in 2007.Pharmaceutical distribution is increasingly evolving from a classic trading business into a customer-specific services business.

Between mid-2007 and the end of 2008, Celesio worked intensively on the strategic and organisational reorientation of the company. Celesio (turnover in 2008: 21.8 billion euro, 37,746 employees (2008)), is taking on the challenges of a pharma and healthcare market in transition.

With a clear focus on customers, the company is shaping up for further growth. From now on, customers will have a single contact for all their requirements. Patients and consumers will speak to Patient and Consumer Solutions, pharmacists to Pharmacy Solutions and manufacturers speak to Manufacturer Solutions. Here they will receive a broad range of services and customised service packages.

Revenue fell by 2.3 per cent compared with the previous year, and EBITDA by 22.0 per cent.

Celesio Pharmacies acquired and opened 101 pharmacies and participated in twelve others.

Celesio signed the Charter of Diversity. For an international group such as Celesio, this step underlines the social diversity of the company that is part of its daily practice. 21 different nationalities work at the head office in Stuttgart and more than 20 languages are spoken by its employees. The common language used within the Group is English. Over 250 companies have signed the charter and have made a public pledge to uphold the principles of fairness and respect.

2009

New corporate structure introduced, with the divisions Patient and Consumer Solutions, Pharmacy Solutions and Manufacturer Solutions.

Europe-wide outsourcing of the group’s IT infrastructure initiated.

"Agenda 2015" growth programme presented.

Acquisition of Dirk Raes, the leading cold chain logistics services provider in the Benelux countries.
First DocMorris pharmacy in Ireland opened.
Majority acquisition of the leading player in the Brazilian pharmaceutical wholesale market, Panpharma.
Majority acquisition of marketing and sales services provider pharmexx.
First steps taken to establish our own pharmacy chain in Sweden under the DocMorris Apotek brand.
Belgian wholesaler Laboratoria Flandria acquired.

Convertible bond of 350 million euro issued.