Acquisitions & Disposals
During the last two years, Migros Group has acquired various companies. Transactions carried out in the 2015 financial year included the following:
On 2 December 2014, Micarna SA acquired Rudolf Schär AG, Thal. Since information relating to the financial statements of the acquired Rudolf Schär AG was not yet available at the time of the 2014 Migros Group financial statements being released, initial recognition of the business combination was not possible until the 2015 financial year (inclusion on 1 January 2015). Rudolf Schär AG was established in 1945 in St. Gallen and is a producer of speciality sausage products. Under a succession arrangement, Micarna SA acquired the long-established company, together with all 90 employees, which generated sales of around CHF 33 million in 2015. On 1 July 2015, Micarna SA acquired Maurer Speck, a leading manufacturer of high-quality and traditional speciality bacon products based in Flüh in the canton of Solothurn, also under a succession arrangement.
A further succession arrangement saw Saviva, which is also part of Migros Industry, acquire the Lüchinger + Schmid Group with effect from 1 January 2015. With sales of CHF 184 million and a workforce of 270 employees, the company is known for selling and producing eggs, egg products, chilled fresh produce and frozen products, and will continue to operate independently on the market. The acquisition will see Saviva further expand its market position in the delivery wholesale business.
On 1 February 2015, the Mibelle Group acquired a majority shareholding of 51 % in the British Quantum Beauty Company, thereby expanding its business in exclusive brands. The portfolio includes brands such as Lee Stafford, Arganoil and Salon Science.
Migrol AG acquired 90 % of the shares in Swisstherm AG with retroactive effect from 1 January 2015. For Migrol, this represents a key strategic step towards being able to serve the heating market in Switzerland with additional products and services.
With retroactive effect from 1 January 2015, Activ Fitness AG, which is part of the Migros Cooperative Zurich, acquired the four Pleine Forme fitness centres in the canton of Neuchâtel, which together have 3'500 members. On 1 April 2015, the Migros Cooperative Zurich also acquired Marinello AG, which operates a number of food stores in Zurich, together with the company's 75 employees. The "Marinello" brand, as well as Marinello + Co AG, which operates in Zurich's Engros market, are not part of the acquisition.
On 1 April 2015, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives increased its share package in Digitec Galaxus AG from an original interest of 30 %, and of 39.1 % following the departure of one of the company's co-founders, to 70 %, thus making it the majority shareholder. Digitec has been the leading online player in the Swiss consumer electronics market for many years, with sales of over CHF 600 million. Galaxus is already Switzerland's largest online shop, a position which it aims to strengthen and expand further.
In mid-October 2015, Medbase AG acquired a 70 % stake in santémed Gesundheitszentren AG from SWICA, thereby increasing its involvement in the health sector. The partnership has given rise to the largest network for basic outpatient medical care.
In July 2015, the Migros Cooperative Aare entered into a partnership with Golf Limpachtal and immediately assumed responsibility for running the golf course. To this end, Migros Aare acquired 54.4 % of the shares in Public Golf Bucheggberg AG (driving range, property) and 100 % of Golf Limpachtal Betriebs- und Verwaltungs AG (personnel, machinery, EDP and administration).
The acquisitions of Explore Worldwide, the soft adventure provider, and the diving specialist Regaldive by Hotelplan Group on 1 December 2015, are not shown in the 2015 financial year. Since information relating to the financial statements of these two companies was not yet available at the time of the Migros Group financial statements being released, the initial recognition of the business combination was not possible. The two British companies, in which Hotelplan Group has acquired 100 % of the shares, together generate annual sales of around CHF 75 million and employ more than 120 people.
The following companies were acquired during the 2014 financial year:
On 1 April 2014, Chocolat Frey AG acquired a majority shareholding (51 %) in SweetWorks. SweetWorks operates a production plant in Buffalo, New York, with approximately 200 employees, and also owns a subsidiary, Oak Leaf Confections Co., in Toronto, Canada, which itself employs around 250 staff. SweetWorks will continue to operate as an independent group of companies and all of its staff will remain in place. Since SweetWorks and Chocolat Frey pursue comparable business models, mutual synergies can be found along the entire value chain. With the acquisition, Chocolat Frey AG is also strengthening its market position in the United States and Canada.
On 1 January 2014, Magazine zum Globus AG acquired Schild AG, with a total of some 700 employees. Schild is the leading upper-mid-range men's and women's fashion retailer. Despite being acquired in full, the Schild brand will be retained and the company will be continued as an independent fashion retailer. The acquisition of Schild by Globus will see the two long-established companies become the market leader for fashion in the mid and upper price ranges in Switzerland.
On 1 June 2014, the Migros Cooperative Zurich acquired 100 % of the shares in Molino AG with its 18 restaurants from Athris Holding AG. Established in 1988, Molino AG now operates under the name of Ospena Group AG. For the Migros Cooperative Zurich, this takeover represents a key step in the planned growth strategy within the Catering segment.