In November 2010 the Holding company of the Combined Berner Group success-fully completed its transition to a European Corporation. At the beginning of the year Berner SE (Societas Europaea) already undertook the initial step of changing from a GmbH to an AG.
The European Corporation is currently one of the most modern corporate legal forms. It facilitates the activities of German companies operating across borders throughout Europe and strengthens their international competitivity. The change in legal status will help the Combined Berner Group to continue implementing its ambitious growth strategy, thus making it clear to the outside that it is a modern European company with headquarters in Künzelsau.
Berner is and remains entirely a family business; listing on the stock market is in no way envisaged. This step will also ensure that the succession remains within the Berner family. The Berner SE will in future pursue the two main business activities of the Group: the Berner commercial activities and the chemicals business under the Caramba brand. The executive board of Berner SE will remain unchanged with Jörn Werner (CEO), Ulrich Lindner and Lothar Aulich.
