Press release
The Hipp Technology Group strengthens its market position and expands its product portfolio with the acquisition of MK Medical GmbH & Co. KG.
The leading company in the field of orthopedic Kirschner Wires, MK Medical, is now under the umbrella of the Swiss Hipp Technology Group.
The company MK Medical GmbH & Co. KG, based in Emmingen-Liptingen (DE), is making forward-looking arrangements for succession. The company specializes in manufacturing of orthopedic implants with a strong focus on Kirschner wires, Steinmann pins and fixation pins made from a wide range of materials.
The founder and previous sole owner Michael Krix is selling his successful life’s work to Hipp Technology Group AG. MK Medical employs around 60 people and generated sales of over EUR 7 million in 2023. The Hipp Technology Group consists of the German companies Hipp Medical AG and Hipp Präzisionstechnik GmbH as well as the Swiss company Wymed AG. The expansion of the Group will continue the focus on the medical technology market and further consolidate its position as a leading European precision engineering group.
The group of companies has grown strongly in recent years and achieved sales of EUR 73 million in 2023 with a medical technology share of over 75%. The acquisition of MK Medical is effective as of January 1, 2024.
Hipp Technology Group AG, domiciled in Zurich, is majority-owned by Swiss entrepreneurial families under the management of Kontivia AG. The founder of Hipp Medical and Hipp Präzisionstechnik, Markus Hipp, is CEO of the Group and the largest single shareholder. Michael Krix remains CEO of MK Medical, becomes a member of the Group Management and acquires stakes in the Hipp Technology Group.
Convincing solution for succession
Michael Krix comments: “We are delighted to have found a timely and future-oriented solution for the succession of our company, which I successfully built up with great entrepreneurial enthusiasm, vision and commitment together with my wife Marion and other key employees, with the Hipp Technology Group and Kontivia. The convincing industrial logic with further attractive development and growth prospects and, above all, the Group’s values compass were very appealing and convincing.”
Markus Hipp, CEO of the Hipp Technology Group, explains: “The partnership with Kontivia has enabled us to further implement our growth and strategic plans. I am extremely pleased that with Michael Krix and his team we have now added another strong company with attractive growth potential to our Group. With MK Medical’s product groups, we are even more broadly positioned for our customers and can offer convincing complete solutions from a single source. The Group and its employees are focusing on the major customer benefits that have been enhanced by the acquisition.”
Alexander Krebs, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hipp Technology Group, comments: “The regional proximity of MK Medical to the two Hipp companies in Baden-Württemberg, the positive development of the Hipp Technology Group and Kontivia’s strongly value-based and long-term investment strategy have facilitated and favored our discussions with Michael and Marion Krix. We are very much looking forward to the new partnership and would like to extend a warm welcome to all MK Medical employees.”
For further inquiries
MK Medical: Michael Krix, mk@mk-medical.de
Hipp Technology Group: Markus Hipp, markus.hipp@hipp-group.com
Kontivia: Dr. Alexander Krebs, alexander.krebs@kontivia.com
About MK Medical
MK Medical GmbH & Co. KG (Emmingen-Liptingen, DE) was founded in 2003 by Michael Krix and specializes in the manufacture of short-term orthopedic implants with a strong focus on Kirschner wires. The company is fully focused on medical technology, supplies global orthopedic OEMs and in some cases also acts as a distributor itself. Thanks to proprietary manufacturing processes developed in-house, MK Medical has succeeded over the last two decades in establishing a market-leading position in the field of Kirschner wires in terms of quality and production capacity.
www.mk-medical.de
About Hipp Technology Group
Hipp Technology Group AG (Zurich, CH) comprises the companies Hipp Medical AG, Hipp Präzisionstechnik GmbH, Wymed AG and now MK Medical GmbH & Co. KG. The Group primarily manufactures implants, instruments and complete sets for medical technology (with a focus on orthopedics, traumatology and dentistry). It also manufactures precision components and assemblies for the aerospace, mechanical engineering and other industrial sectors. In October 2019, several Swiss entrepreneurial families, led by the investment company Kontivia AG, acquired a majority stake in the group of companies.
www.hipp-technologygroup.com / www.wymed.ch
About Kontivia
Kontivia AG (Zurich, CH) is a down-to-earth, long-term investment company for established medium-sized companies in Switzerland and southern Germany. Kontivia investors are mainly well-known Swiss entrepreneurial families who invest directly in companies under the management of Kontivia AG. Kontivia stands for continuity combined with a new path (via). Kontivia’s maxim is to ensure continuity, preserve what is tried and tested, enable new ideas and promote growth. With the strategic acquisition of MK Medical, Kontivia is prudently and successfully implementing the sixth succession solution for a family business. These are grouped into a total of three investment platforms. In addition to the Hipp Technology Group, there is the Inovu Group AG (Brütsch Elektronik AG and Jossi AG) and the Katadyn Group AG.
www.kontivia.com