Franz B & Cie (Haniel) is to acquire 50.1 per cent of Emma – The Sleep Company (Bettzeit). Its two founders, Manuel Müller und Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi, will each retain a 24.95 per cent stake in the company and will continue to drive Emma’s international expansion as active CEOs.“With Emma, we are very pleased to have won a young, innovative and at the same time fast-growing company with many unique selling propositions for the further transformation of our portfolio,” says Haniel CEO Thomas Schmidt.
The founders also see a benefit for their company in the cooperation with Haniel, as Co-CEO Dr Dennis Schmoltzi, says: “With Haniel as an extremely strong partner at our side, we see an excellent opportunity to move to a new level of growth. This includes the expansion of international business as well as the development of new business areas around the topic of sleeping. In partnership with Haniel, we are able to become the leading Sleep Tech player worldwide at a much faster pace.”
Emma – The Sleep Company was founded in 2013 and in just six years has developed from an online platform for mattresses and sleeping systems into an internationally operating Sleep Tech provider that is one of Europe’s fastest growing companies. The popular D2C brand Emma is available in 21 countries worldwide and has already established itself in many European countries as the leading bed-in-a-box supplier in the constantly growing market for sleep-related products. The brand’s rapid growth is realised by a team of 350 people, who stand for product innovations, the rapid implementation of ideas and individualised strategies for each market. Additional success factors include a high concentration on technology-supported processes as well as an extreme focus on research and continuous development of products.
Manuel Müller, founder and Co-CEO of Emma, says: “Haniel’s clear orientation to create value for generations via a sustainable portfolio is consistent with our strategy of long-term and profitable growth. In combining our diverse research and development competencies, we will take sleep and thus well-being holistically to a new level.”
Thomas Schmidt: “At present, managing the Corona crisis is part of our everyday life and we care for the well-being of our colleagues and their families. Nevertheless, we remain focused on the implementation of the new Haniel strategy. It creates long-term value and secures jobs. Last year, we decided to invest only in companies that match the topic areas People, Planet or Progress. With Emma as a new company in our group and as the first new building block in our People investment field, we will contribute to a healthy future worth living.”
