Who Owns Coloplast Company?

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Who Owns Coloplast?

Coloplast's ownership structure is a key factor in its strategic direction and governance. A significant shift occurred in August 2023, consolidating founder stakes into a new holding company for stable, long-term development.

Who Owns Coloplast Company?

This move highlights the founders' lasting influence and their commitment to the company's enduring vision.

Coloplast, established in 1957, is a global leader in medical devices, focusing on intimate healthcare needs. Their product portfolio includes solutions for ostomy care, continence care, wound and skin care, and interventional urology. The company reported revenue growth of 10% to DKK 27,030 million in FY 2023/24, with an EBIT margin of 27%, demonstrating its robust market performance.

The ownership of Coloplast is primarily anchored by the founding family's interests. Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, along with the Aage & Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation, established a new holding company in August 2023 to manage their substantial stakes. This strategic consolidation aims to ensure continuity and long-term stability for the company's future development. While the founding family maintains a significant influence, Coloplast also has a broad base of public shareholders, reflecting its status as a publicly traded entity. Understanding these ownership dynamics is crucial for assessing the company's governance and strategic decision-making processes, especially concerning its innovative product development, such as advancements in Coloplast PESTEL Analysis.

Who Founded Coloplast?

The foundation of Coloplast was laid in 1954 by nurse Elise Sørensen, who envisioned an adhesive ostomy bag to improve her sister Thora's quality of life. This concept was brought to fruition by civil engineer Aage Louis-Hansen and his wife Johanne, leading to the official establishment of the company in 1957. The initial ownership was firmly rooted in this family enterprise, driven by a mission to address intimate healthcare needs.

Founder Key Contribution Founding Year
Elise Sørensen Conceived the idea of the adhesive ostomy bag 1954 (concept)
Aage Louis-Hansen Co-founder, plastics producer, brought innovation to life 1957
Johanne Louis-Hansen Co-founder, nurse, supported innovation 1957
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Genesis of Innovation

The company's origins stem from a personal need, highlighting a patient-centric approach from its inception. Elise Sørensen's idea was a direct response to her sister's challenges.

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Family Enterprise

Coloplast began as a family venture, with Aage Louis-Hansen and his wife Johanne driving the early development. This familial foundation shaped the company's initial direction.

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Foundational Ownership

The Louis-Hansen family established the primary ownership structure. Their commitment was instrumental in bringing the initial healthcare solutions to market.

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Early Vision

The company's early vision was clearly focused on addressing intimate healthcare needs. This mission guided the founders' efforts and the company's initial growth.

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Lack of Public Detail

Specific details regarding early equity splits or the exact number of shares at the company's inception are not widely publicized. The focus was on product development and market entry.

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Legacy of Founders

Aage Louis-Hansen is recognized as the primary founder. His son, Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, later played a significant role as a major shareholder and deputy chairman.

The Louis-Hansen family's enduring commitment has been a hallmark of Coloplast's ownership throughout its history. This long-term involvement underscores their dedication to the company's mission and its continued development in the healthcare sector. Understanding the Marketing Strategy of Coloplast can provide further context to their sustained success.

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Coloplast's Ownership Roots

The ownership of Coloplast is deeply intertwined with its founding family, the Louis-Hansens. This family control has been a consistent theme since the company's inception in 1957.

  • Founded in 1957 by Aage Louis-Hansen and Johanne Louis-Hansen.
  • Initial concept by nurse Elise Sørensen in 1954.
  • Louis-Hansen family has maintained foundational ownership.
  • Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, son of Aage, became a significant shareholder.

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How Has Coloplast’s Ownership Changed Over Time?

The ownership structure of Coloplast A/S has seen significant evolution, notably with the establishment of Coloplast Holding ApS in August 2023, consolidating control under the founding family. This move, alongside a dual-class share system, ensures continued influence from key stakeholders.

Share Class Voting Rights per DKK 1 Share Total Share Capital (DKK) as of Sep 30, 2024
A-shares 10 18,000,000
B-shares 1 210,200,000

Coloplast A/S is a publicly traded entity on Nasdaq Copenhagen (COLO B), featuring a dual-class share system that differentiates voting power between A-shares and B-shares. As of September 30, 2024, the total share capital was DKK 228,200,000, with A-shares representing DKK 18,000,000 and B-shares accounting for DKK 210,200,000. A key development in August 2023 was the creation of Coloplast Holding ApS, co-founded by Niels Peter Louis-Hansen and the Aage & Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation. This holding company controls 29.49% of Coloplast A/S's share capital and 51.36% of its voting rights. Within Coloplast Holding ApS, NPLH Holding ApS, controlled by Niels Peter Louis-Hansen, holds 62.58% of the capital and 71.13% of voting rights, while Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansen A/S, linked to the foundation, holds the remainder. This structure means 'Holders of A shares and family' collectively possess 45% of ownership and 68% of voting rights as of September 30, 2024, underscoring the family's substantial control. Institutional investors, both Danish and international, are also significant shareholders. As of September 30, 2024, foreign institutional investors held 39% of shares and 23% of voting rights, while Danish institutional investors held 7% of ownership and 4% of voting rights. Individual investors represent approximately 40% of ownership as of June 12, 2025, with private companies, primarily family entities, holding 30% of outstanding shares. Prominent institutional investors include BlackRock, Inc., The Vanguard Group, Inc., Comgest S.A., Baillie Gifford & Co., and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. The concentration of voting power through the A-shares and the holding company structure has historically provided stability and a long-term strategic focus, a principle reinforced during the 2023 generational change announcement, which is also reflected in the Growth Strategy of Coloplast.

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Coloplast Ownership Snapshot

Understanding who owns Coloplast reveals a strong influence from the founding family, balanced by significant institutional investment.

  • Coloplast A/S is publicly traded on Nasdaq Copenhagen (COLO B).
  • A dual-class share system (A-shares and B-shares) impacts voting power.
  • Coloplast Holding ApS, established in August 2023, holds significant control.
  • Niels Peter Louis-Hansen and the Aage & Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation are key figures in the ownership structure.
  • Institutional investors collectively hold a substantial portion of shares.

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Who Sits on Coloplast’s Board?

The Board of Directors for Coloplast A/S is structured to ensure robust governance, with key leadership roles filled by experienced individuals. As of the Annual General Meeting on December 5, 2024, the board proposed and secured the re-election of its members, reflecting confidence in their continued guidance.

Board Member Role Affiliation
Lars Søren Rasmussen Chairman Elected
Niels Peter Louis-Hansen Deputy Chairman Founding Family Representative
Annette Brüls Member Elected
Carsten Hellmann Member Elected
Jette Nygaard-Andersen Member Elected
Marianne Wiinholt Member Elected
Thomas Barfod Employee-elected Member Employee Representative
Nikolaj Kyhe Gundersen Employee-elected Member Employee Representative
Roland Vendelbo Pedersen Employee-elected Member Employee Representative

The voting power within Coloplast A/S is significantly influenced by a dual-class share system, a critical aspect of Coloplast ownership. This system assigns ten votes per DKK 1 A-share and one vote per DKK 1 B-share. As of September 30, 2024, the founding family, primarily through A-shares, controlled 68% of the voting rights, despite holding 45% of the company's ownership. This concentration of voting power ensures the founding family's substantial influence over strategic decisions, even with significant B-share holdings by institutional investors like BlackRock and Vanguard. This structure was evident at the December 2024 AGM, where resolutions passed due to the founding family's voting majority, underscoring their ultimate control in matters such as the re-election of the Chairman and the remuneration report. Understanding this ownership structure is key to grasping who owns Coloplast and how its governance operates, providing insight into the Competitors Landscape of Coloplast.

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Coloplast Voting Power Dynamics

The dual-class share structure grants disproportionate voting power to A-share holders. This ensures the founding family's long-term vision guides the company.

  • A-shares: 10 votes per DKK 1
  • B-shares: 1 vote per DKK 1
  • Founding family holds 68% of voting rights
  • Founding family holds 45% of ownership (as of Sept 30, 2024)

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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Coloplast’s Ownership Landscape?

Recent developments in Coloplast's ownership structure highlight a strategic consolidation of family interests and ongoing institutional investment. The establishment of Coloplast Holding ApS in August 2023, bringing together Niels Peter Louis-Hansen and the Aage & Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation, has reinforced the founding family's long-term control, representing approximately 30% of the capital and 52% of the votes.

Ownership Entity Approximate Capital Stake Approximate Voting Stake
Coloplast Holding ApS (Family Interests) 30% 52%
Foreign Institutional Investors 39% N/A

Coloplast's financial performance and strategic adjustments have also influenced its ownership landscape. For FY 2023/24, the company achieved 8% organic growth and a 27% EBIT margin. The third quarter of FY 2024/25 saw 7% organic growth with a 28% EBIT margin, aligning with the full-year guidance of approximately 7% organic growth and a 27-28% EBIT margin for FY 2024/25. However, in May 2025, the company revised its FY 2024/25 guidance downwards to around 7% organic growth and a 27-28% EBIT margin, partly due to a voluntary product recall in Interventional Urology costing DKK 35 million and impacting sales recovery. This recall affected Bladder Health and Surgery, with a negative revenue impact of DKK 25 million in Q1 2024/25 and DKK 10 million in Q3 2024/25.

Icon Strategic Divestment and Restructuring

In December 2024, Coloplast divested its Skin Care portfolio to enhance profitability in Advanced Wound Care. This move is expected to reduce reported revenue for FY 2024/25 by approximately DKK 350 million.

Icon Leadership Evolution and Strategy Alignment

The Executive Leadership Team was expanded in November 2024 to align with growth platforms. Further changes in August 2025 aim to support a new company strategy towards 2030, including a restructuring into Chronic Care and Acute Care business units.

Icon Ownership Stability and Shareholder Authority

As of September 30, 2024, foreign institutional investors held 39% of Coloplast's shares. The company's dual-class share structure ensures the founding family's continued strong influence, providing strategic stability.

Icon Share Capital Management

The Board of Directors has the authority to acquire treasury shares up to DKK 22,820,000 until December 6, 2028, with a cap of 10% of the share capital, indicating a proactive approach to managing share capital.

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