Orthomol

Orthomol is a family business based in Langenfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.[1] It was founded by Kristian Glagau in 1991 and is now managed by his son Nils together with Michael Schmidt.[2] Orthomol specialises in the production of over-the-counter micronutrient combinations.[3][4] The effect of such supplements is a controversial subject.[5]

Orthomol Holding GmbH
TypePrivate Company (GmbH)
IndustryHealthcare
Founded1991 (1991) in Langenfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
FounderKristian Glagau
Headquarters
Langenfeld
,
Germany
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Nils Glagau
  • Michael Schmidt
Productsover-the-counter micronutrient combinations (orthomolecular medicine)
Revenue €94 million (2017)
Number of employees
 432 (2017)
Websitewww.orthomol.com/en
Footnotes / references
German company register

History

At the end of the 1980s, concept of using complex combinations of micronutrients, i.e. vitamins and minerals and other substances for the prevention and dietary treatment of illnesses had already established itself in the U.S.[6] In order to bring orthomolecular medicine to Germany and Europe, Kristian Glagau and Hans Dietl founded Orthomol in 1991.[7] The company quickly grew to about 100 employees and became one of the leading providers in the micronutrient segment.[8][9] Alongside its activities in the German market, the company expanded internationally, not only in Europe, but also in Russia and the United States, as well as the Middle East and Asia.[10][11]

In 2009, the founder and Managing Director of Orthomol, Kristian Glagau, passed away.[12] The company remained in family hands and was managed by Glagau's two children together with Michael Schmidt, who had already worked as Managing Director before Glagau's death.[13] Although most aspects of the Orthomol business strategy remained unchanged, the product range was expanded.[14]

Group structure

Orthomol's parent company is Orthomol Holding, a limited liability company according to German law (GmbH).[15] It is currently managed by Nils Glagau (Sales and Marketing) and Michael Schmidt (Purchasing, Production, Logistics and Technology). The ownership structure of the group consists of two separate families, those of the founders Nils Glagau and Gesche Hugger.[15]

Criticism

There are several doubts concerning the effectiveness of the products produced by Orthomol and other manufacturers, which is yet to be sufficiently identified in scientific terms based on evidence-based medicine criteria.[16][17] The non-academic German press has also commented negatively on the products.[18][19]

Notes and references
  1. "Company". Orthomol. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  2. "Der neue Löwe aus Langenfeld". Solinger Morgenpost (in German). 11 December 2018. p. 23.
  3. Daniel Bakir (5 September 2019). "Ein Besuch bei Orthomol: So funktioniert das Pillenimperium des neuen Löwen. Reportage der Woche". stern.de (in German). Gruner + Jahr. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  4. "Orthomolekulare Konkurrenz". apotheke-adhoc.de (in German). Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  5. "Doping und Dampfbad für die kalte Jahreszeit". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). 2 February 2003. p. 23.
  6. Carolin Bauer (24 March 2016). "Am Anfang war die Orthomol-Garage". apotheke-adhoc.de (in German). Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  7. Anna Busch (8 June 2011). "Aus der Garage in die Welt". Westdeutsche Zeitung (in German).
  8. "Kleiner Anfang, großer Zuwachs". Rheinische Post (in German). 25 May 2006.
  9. "Maßgeschneiderte Mikronährstoffe". Rheinische Post (in German). 25 May 2006.
  10. "Vitamine für Peking und Schanghai". Rheinische Post (in German). 16 January 2004.
  11. Finn Mayer-Kuckuk (15 March 2004). "Auf der Suche nach deutschen Spurenelementen". Handelsblatt (in German). p. 16.
  12. "Orthomol-Gründer Kristian Glagau ist tot". Westdeutsche Zeitung (in German). 12 September 2009.
  13. "Orthomol regelt Nachfolge". Rheinische Post (in German). 27 November 2009.
  14. Sebastian Balzter (20 August 2012). "Wir bleiben Ärzten und Apothekern treu". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
  15. "Orthomol Holding GmbH". unternehmensregister.de (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  16. Vlad Georgescu, Marita Vollborn (19 December 2002). "Functional Food: Das Geschäft mit den Möchtegern-Medikamenten". spiegel.de (in German). Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  17. Michael de Ridder (28 April 2019). "Gesundheit per Pille? Schöner, fitter, schlauer: Für alles gibt es Präparate. Die Wundermittel helfen aber vor allem den Herstellern". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). p. 22.
  18. Nicola Kurth (27 October 2014). "Medikamenten-Check: Was die Abwehrkräfte wirklich stärkt". spiegel.de (in German). Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  19. "Orthomol: Dieser Mittelständler verkauft zweifelhafte Produkte mit vorbildlichem Marketing". wiwo.de (in German). 17 August 2018. p. 60. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
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