GEKA, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of brushes, applicators and complete packaging systems for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, is the new owner of OEKA, an internationally active manufacturer of plastic and metal components. The merger will strengthen the global market position of the two regional companies from Franconia.
“Our aim is to create a globally operating German champion specialized in the development and production of applicators and complete packaging systems for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries,” said Nikolaus Michelsen, managing director of GEKA. “At the same time, we are eager to retain going forward OEKA’s tight-knit corporate culture with its rich tradition rooted in Franconia.”
Transition scheduled for mid-July
OEKA, which has a history that stretches back more than 100 years, is specializing in deep drawing of metal, plastic injection molding, surface finishing and assembly technology. OEKA’s product range also extends to the development and manufacture of hybrid parts, such as innovative brushes and applicators for cosmetic and medical applications.
“I am especially pleased that GEKA is going to retain the approximately 220 employees and is even planning to make new hires,” said insolvency administrator Joachim Exner, partner at the law office Dr. Beck & Partners, after the purchase agreement was signed yesterday evening. The transition is scheduled for mid-July 2015, and the creditors have already consented to the sale, the amount of which has not been disclosed.
“For us, OEKA is the perfect partner to help implement our plans for global growth and expand our value-added chain,” said Amaury de Menthière, managing director of GEKA. “Above all, we will be relying on the experience of OEKA’s highly qualified employees and the production capacities of the Bamberg location. With regards to the planned growth, we intend to invest millions into the site to upgrade its technology.”
GEKA also anticipates that merging the two companies and the use of a single brand will generate synergies with regard to the cost of materials.
More specifically, GEKA plans to integrate the OEKA BEAUTY and OEKA MED divisions into the GEKA Beauty and GEKA Healthcare divisions. However, the OEKA Tech division will be assigned to the recently founded GEKA company ‘OEKA Tech Automotive GmbH’. It is also planned to give the OEKA executives some greater additional responsibilities within the GEKA Group.
