Active ownership, now Gerresheimer’s second-largest shareholder, has this morning called for a full strategic review of the German medical-packaging group, following its acquisition of a 5.31 per cent stake, along with options to increase by a further 1.88 per cent.
The investor urged a rapid conclusion to the sale of Gerresheimer’s moulded glass division, seeking to boost cash flow and reduce debt.
The appeal also includes demands for portfolio restructuring, administration cost savings and the establishment of a strategy committee—all aimed at raising the company’s return on sales by five percentage points.
This comes amid a year-to-date slump of approximately 36 per cent in Gerresheimer’s share price, despite a modest rebound today.
Calls for swift moulded glass divestment to ease debt and improve margins
active ownership explicitly backed the ongoing plan to sell the moulded glass division—a process that began under
Gerresheimer’s strategic review launched in 2024. The sale is intended to strengthen cash flow and reduce the company’s debt burden.
Earlier in August, shares rose nearly 4 per cent when Gerresheimer confirmed immediate separation of the unit, which serves the food, beverage and cosmetics industries.
Investor pushes for cost cuts, portfolio optimisation and efficiency gains
alongside the divestment, active ownership has called on Gerresheimer to streamline its operations through portfolio optimisation and administrative cost reductions.
The investor claims such measures could lift the company’s return on sales by around five percentage points.
It also proposes forming a new strategy committee to oversee and review all ongoing projects.
Broader activist investor trend in healthcare spotlights governance and performance pressure
this intervention reflects a growing trend of activist investor involvement across the healthcare and packaging sectors.
In recent months, firms including medtech providers and drug developers have faced similar campaigns, pushing for strategic change and improved performance.
Gerresheimer itself had previously been nudged by asset value investors, holding a 3.5 per cent stake, to boost its market value.
