Hecht: Investment company becomes new owner
Hecht Contactlinsen GmbH from Au near Freiburg, which has been owner-managed for 46 years, has completed an eight-month process: In future, the German manufacturer of custom-made, RGP and soft contact lenses will be majority-owned by Novum Capital, an owner-managed investment company from Frankfurt am Main. Hecht describes the change of ownership as “an important prerequisite for continuity, delivery capability, innovation and growth beyond the generational change”.
Muckenhirn remains Managing Director
The previous Managing Partner Stefan Muckenhirn (57) will retain a minority share in the company founded by his father Dieter Muckenhirn in 1978 – and will remain Managing Director. Bernhard Steiert (58), son of an early Hecht shareholder and also Managing Partner, is stepping down as Managing Director. Stefan Muckenhirn comments:
“As Commercial Director, Bernhard Steiert has played a decisive role in shaping the great success of Hecht Contactlinsen GmbH over many years with his exceptional management expertise and in-depth industry experience and has led the company to a high level of profitability. I would like to thank him wholeheartedly for this and am delighted that he will remain associated with the company in an advisory capacity.
Like Stefan Muckenhirn, the previous Managing Director Frank Widmer (63) will remain active as Managing Director. He comments:
“I would also like to thank Bernhard Steiert very much for his outstanding and highly competent commitment over many years. The task of the management team remains to continue to be a reliable, innovative partner for optical businesses, practices and clinics that fit individual contact lenses with our staff and our products.”
“Exploiting new growth opportunities”
Continuing reliability, innovation and growth – the new majority shareholder is also committed to this. Beatrice Dreyfus, Partner at Novum Capital, is certain: “Hecht is a hidden champion that also has great potential in other European countries. We will support the company’s growth with business expertise, financial resources and genuine passion. This will strengthen the home base in Au as well as the subsidiaries in Germany, Switzerland and Spain.”
Stefan Muckenhirn adds:
“I am convinced that in Novum Capital, the management team has found an investment company that is ideally suited to Hecht’s potential. We are delighted about this milestone in the company’s history and are looking forward to a future full of new opportunities.”
Source: Hecht Contactlinsen
