New shareholder structure ensures long-term growth for Rako

The agreement sees the shares formerly owned by the Koopmann family transferred to Dr Andreas Jacobs, who becomes chairman of a new advisory board.

In a statement, Rako managing director Adrian Tippenhauer said: ‘We intend to forge ahead with the internationalisation of our business, as well as reinforcing our market position organically and through further acquisitions. This will require capital and expertise. We are delighted that the partnership with Dr Jacobs and his team will ensure we have both.’

As part of the partnership deal, both Matthias Kurtz and Adrian Tippenhauer have undertaken a commitment to remain at the head of the Rako Group until 2025.

As well as expanding its global presence, Rako will continue to invest in innovation, particularly in digital printing – ‘a forward-looking technology from which our customers already benefit today,’ said Adrian Tippenhauer. Rako recently concluded the biggest ever single deal with HP Indigo for digital presses.

Dr Andreas Jacobs previous experience includes: chairman of the board of directors at Barry Callebaut, which became the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer; former deputy chairman of the board of directors at Adecco, which he developed  into a temporary employment agency with 31,000 employees and a turnover 19.5 billion euros; former deputy chairman of the board of directors and shareholder of Infront Sports & Media, leading its expansion into Europe’s leading sports marketing company; and a former shareholder of Deutsche See.