Celesio

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Celesio AG (FWB: CLS), previously GEHE AG, is a German healthcare and pharmaceutical company, represented in 14 countries, with a revenue of 22.3 billion euro (2007) and more than 37,000 employees. Originally founded in 1835, it is now a public limited company.

The head office is situated in Stuttgart Bad Cannstatt, between the Wilhelma zoo and botanical gardens and the mineral baths. The company’s activities are divided into the divisions Celesio Wholesale, Celesio Pharmacies and Celesio Solutions and play a leading role in the growing healthcare market.

In the pharmaceutical wholesaling sector, Celesio has a market presence in 13 countries. It has a comprehensive range of logistics, solutions and advice services for pharmacists on matters of health, medicines and wellness. An extensive distribution network of more than 120 branches provides deliveries to pharmacies several times each day.

In its pharmacy business, Celesio operates over 2,200 pharmacies in seven countries. The pharmacies dispense medicines, and also offer a comprehensive advice service for medicine-related questions. The pharmacist is considered central to Celesio’s role as a retailer.

With its Celesio Solutions division, the group offers a broad range of services for a variety of customer groups in the pharmaceutical market throughout Europe. These include logistics and distribution services for pharmaceutical manufacturers including transportation, storage and warehouse management as well as accepting and processing orders.

[edit] History

The company was founded in 1835 by Franz Ludwig Gehe and opened to the capital market on 1 January 1903 as the result of conversion into a public limited company. In January 1904, the shares were approved for trading on the former stock exchange in Dresden.

Capital increases carried out in 1910 and 1912 laid the financial foundation for the country-wide sale of "drugs and paints, pharmaceutical and chemical products" in proximity to customers.

At the annual general meeting on 24 April 2003, the shareholders approved the change of name from GEHE AG to Celesio AG with an overwhelming majority of 99.98 %; therefore, in the 100th year as a public limited company, the first year of Celesio began.