MCH Group offloads Winkler Livecom in management buyout

The Swiss live marketing company said the sale was completed on 31 December.

It said the sale of Winkler Livecom would have no impact on the 75 employees, who would be transferred to the new ownership within the current organisational structure.

The orderly switch to independence was ensured through requisite transition periods and service contracts, wot continuation of ongoing assignments and work also guaranteed, MCH said.

It explained that the services provided by Winkler Livecom AG extended from the development of ideas, through to the implementation of multimedia solutions in the entire live communications market.

The company was acquired by MCH in 2005, and was its first acquisition in the context of building up the current live marketing solutions division.

“In the field of live marketing solutions, we wish to focus on the expansion and international alignment of the services we offer at the strategy and concept level – Reflection Marketing and MCH Global - as well as on the implementation of temporary structures - Expomobilia, MC2, Metron,” said MCH Group interim chief executive officer Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard.

The board said that with a strategic alignment based on these priorities, Winkler Livecom AG would have had only limited opportunities for development within the MCH Group, since it was primarily geared to the national market and, as a service provider, did not have direct contact with the end customer for many of its assignments.

“We are delighted that we can enable Winkler and its employees to pursue a highly promising way forward and wish them every success,” Hoejsgaard added.

Winkler Livecom AG managing director Christian Künzli said that as an independent company, the firm would be able to develop its own strategy and align its structures in an even more targeted manner to the needs of its market and customer segments.

Participating in the purchase of Winkler Livecom AG alongside Künzli were Stefan Mathys, previously responsible for sales and marketing; and the business consultant and investment entrepreneur Benedickt Brenninkmeijer.

“We are looking forward to embarking on a new path with new prospects for the future,” said Künzli.

“The conditions are good, and we are highly motivated.

“And we will naturally also continue to be a competent service provider for the MCH Group.”