Gollmann Kommissioniersysteme
Country: Germany
Region: Sachsen-Anhalt
Investors: eCapital
Gollmann Kommissioniersysteme makes automated, space-efficient storage for pharmacies and industrial users looking for a way to handle and monitor small items. The company was created in 2006, when Daniel Gollmann was asked by a pharmacist friend to help select a system. Gollmann saw the opportunity to do something better and within a few months developed, tested and sold his first shelving systems.
Over the next three years the start-up grew into a medium-sized company. But then the financial crisis struck and resulted in the unexpected cancellation of a bank loan in 2009. eCapital stepped up with the funding to expand the sales network, plus the expertise to take Gollmann into seven European countries, Australia and New Zealand.
Daniel Gollmann
Founder & CEO - Gollmann Kommissioniersysteme
eCAPITAL was quick to assess our potential and through its funding made us less dependent on bank financing. This partnership is one of our best decisions.
9
new markets entered
30
new jobs, taking total staff to 90
What did the business need?
Funding to replace cancelled bank loan and to continue its long-term expansion plan
Entrepreneurial guidance to professionalise business and improve processes
Access to international markets
How did private equity backing create lasting value?
Provided funding to secure company development
Guided expansion into international markets
Revised sales and pricing strategy
Improved cash efficiency of business model (reduced cash-to-cash cycle)
Achieved substantial increase of gross margin by reducing materials costs
What outcomes did private equity investment achieve?
Created the second-largest maker of pharmacy shelving systems in Germany
Established sales and service networks in Austria, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and UK, as well as Australia and New Zealand
Positioned Gollmann as a high-quality brand and leader in innovation
Achieved an 250% increase in revenues to >€10m
Created 30 new jobs, increasing employment to total of 90
Investors
