Who Owns Bechtle Company?

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Who Owns Bechtle AG?

Understanding Bechtle AG's ownership is key to grasping its strategic path and accountability. Its IPO in March 2000 marked a significant shift, expanding ownership and fueling growth.

Founded in 1983, Bechtle AG has grown into a major European IT provider. Its journey from a small firm to a multinational entity with over 120 IT system houses across 14 countries is impressive. The company's commitment to comprehensive IT solutions is evident in its operations and its Bechtle PESTEL Analysis.

As of December 31, 2024, Bechtle AG employed 15,801 individuals and reported revenue of approximately €6.31 billion for 2024, with a business volume nearing €8 billion.

Bechtle GmbH EDV-Technik was founded on July 21, 1983, by three individuals: Klaus von Jan, a professor; Ralf Klenk, a student; and Gerhard Schick, an entrepreneur. Starting as a microbusiness in Heilbronn, the company initially focused on programming technical calculation software. Gerhard Schick, who passed away in 2025, was instrumental in the company's early, pragmatic approach.

Founding Vision

The founders aimed for significant company growth from the outset. A key strategic objective set in 1988 was to achieve DM 100 million in revenue and go public by the year 2000.

Early Operations

The company began in a small shop unit in Heilbronn, initially generating DM 66,000 in its first fiscal year. The name was inspired by a cinema employee who briefly held a symbolic share for legal purposes.

Key Partnership

Becoming a certified IBM partner in January 1985 was a pivotal moment. This partnership enabled the company to expand its team to six employees and boost revenue significantly.

Early Investment

Investment firm BWK GmbH acquired a stake in Bechtle during its early years. BWK GmbH continues to be a significant shareholder, indicating a long-standing relationship.

Revenue Growth

By the end of 1985, Bechtle's revenue had grown to approximately DM 2.25 million. This rapid increase demonstrated the company's strong early trajectory.

Naming Origin

The company was named Bechtle after Hans-Joachim Bechtle, an employee at a local cinema. He briefly held a symbolic share to facilitate the company's naming process.

While the precise initial equity distribution among the founders is not publicly disclosed, their shared ambition was clear: to achieve substantial growth and eventually go public. This early strategic foresight, including the goal to reach DM 100 million in revenue by the year 2000, laid the groundwork for future capital raising and expansion. The early involvement of BWK GmbH as a shareholder underscores the company's proactive approach to securing investment for its ambitious plans, a strategy that has continued to shape its Bechtle ownership structure over the years. Understanding the Marketing Strategy of Bechtle provides further context on how these early foundations translated into sustained success.

Founding Details

Bechtle's journey began with a clear vision for growth, supported by strategic partnerships and early investment. The company's initial focus was on specialized software development.

• Established on July 21, 1983.
• Three co-founders: Klaus von Jan, Ralf Klenk, and Gerhard Schick.
• Initial operations focused on programming technical calculation software.
• Became an IBM partner in January 1985.
• BWK GmbH acquired an early stake and remains a significant shareholder.

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Bechtle AG's journey to its current ownership structure began with its public offering on March 30, 2000, on the Neuer Markt. This initial public offering was met with significant demand, with the issue price set at €27 per share. By the close of 2000, the company's market capitalization had reached €181.6 million, marking a strong start as a publicly traded entity.

The ownership of Bechtle AG is a diversified mix, comprising institutional investors, retail investors, and individual shareholders. As of July 21, 2025, institutional investors collectively hold around 35% of the company's shares. Retail and individual investors together own a substantial 89.92% of the stock. The largest single shareholder is Karin Schick-Krief, who possesses a 25% stake as of the same date, bringing the total Schick family's ownership in Bechtle's share capital to 35.02%. Among the key institutional investors are Flossbach von Storch SE, holding 10.18%, Allianz Global Investors GmbH with 4.997%, and List Privatstiftung, which owns 6.2%. Other significant institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and 1832 Asset Management L.P. This broad ownership base has been instrumental in supporting Bechtle's long-standing acquisition strategy, which commenced in 1993 and has resulted in the acquisition of 119 companies across 14 countries, solidifying its market leadership. Understanding the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Bechtle provides further context to the company's growth and its ability to attract diverse investors.

Key Bechtle AG Shareholders

Bechtle AG's ownership is spread across various investor types, with significant holdings by both institutional and individual investors.

• Karin Schick-Krief: 25% stake (largest individual shareholder)
• Schick Family: 35.02% total stake
• Flossbach von Storch SE: 10.18%
• List Privatstiftung: 6.2%
• Allianz Global Investors GmbH: 4.997%
• Other notable institutional investors include The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and 1832 Asset Management L.P.

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The current Executive Board of Bechtle AG is led by Dr. Thomas Olemotz as CEO and Chairman. Other key members include Konstantin Ebert, Michael Guschlbauer, and Antje Leminsky. Christian Jehle joined as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on May 21, 2025. The Supervisory Board is chaired by Klaus Winkler, with Kurt Dobitsch and Uli Drautz also serving as members.

Bechtle AG operates with a standard one-share-one-vote principle, common for German public companies. Shareholder participation at annual general meetings is robust, with around 80% of the share capital typically represented in voting. This high participation rate suggests a broad distribution of voting power among Bechtle AG shareholders. While specific major shareholders are not publicly detailed beyond the influence of the Schick family and significant institutional investors, the company's governance emphasizes transparency and open communication with the capital market. There is no indication of structures like dual-class shares that would create disproportionate voting rights.

Understanding Bechtle AG's Shareholder Structure

Bechtle AG's ownership structure is characterized by a one-share-one-vote system, promoting equitable shareholder influence. The company actively engages with its investors, fostering transparency in its operations.

• One-share-one-vote principle ensures fair representation.
• Approximately 80% of share capital participates in voting.
• Major stakeholders, including the Schick family and institutional investors, hold significant influence.
• No evidence of dual-class shares or founder shares granting disproportionate control.
• Focus on open dialogue with the capital market and transparent governance.

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Over the past few years, Bechtle AG has demonstrated consistent growth, fueled by strategic acquisitions and a strong emphasis on digital advancements. This expansion has also influenced its ownership trends, reflecting a stable yet evolving shareholder base.

Recent developments highlight Bechtle AG's strategic direction and financial performance. In 2024, the company successfully integrated six acquisitions, including s.i.g. System Informations Gesellschaft mbH and Grupo Solutia Tecnologia S.L., expanding its market reach and service offerings. Financially, Bechtle reported a business volume of €7,949.0 million and revenue of €6.31 billion for 2024, with an EBT margin of 5.5%. A significant financial move was the investment in convertible bonds worth €300 million at the end of 2023, intended to support future-oriented segments like artificial intelligence and further acquisitions. This strategy aligns with industry trends and Bechtle's commitment to innovation, as seen in its expanded membership in the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) and its work on AI solutions for clients.

Strategic Acquisitions Drive Growth

Bechtle AG completed six acquisitions in 2024, bolstering its market presence and service capabilities. These strategic moves are key to its expansion strategy.

Investment in Future Technologies

The company invested in €300 million in convertible bonds to finance AI initiatives and future acquisitions. This demonstrates a forward-looking approach to business development.

Financial Performance and Outlook

Bechtle AG achieved a business volume of €7,949.0 million in 2024, with a target of €10 billion in sales by 2030. The company maintains a consistent EBT margin of at least 5%.

Shareholder Value and AI Integration

Bechtle maintains a shareholder-friendly dividend policy and is actively integrating AI into its services, including Microsoft Copilot implementations. This focus on AI is central to its Mission, Vision & Core Values of Bechtle.

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