INDUS : subsidiary Ofa Bamberg develops first sustainable compression stocking

The careful and responsible use of natural resources is important for the preservation of a clean environment in the long term. More and more companies and end consumers therefore attach value to sustainability when making investment and purchasing decisions. Ofa Bamberg GmbH, a leading German manufacturer of medical compression stockings and bandages, is one of them: with Lastofa Verde, the company has now developed the first sustainable compression stocking - a novelty on the medical aids market. This development was made possible by Ofa Bamberg's many years of expertise and the financial support of its parent company, INDUS Holding AG, whose investment portfolio has included Ofa since 2000.

For INDUS, medical and healthcare technology is one of a total of six defined industries of the future which continue to provide good growth opportunities going forward. 'Cost pressure and the pace of innovation in the healthcare industry are increasing, but with the right strategy and the necessary experience, companies like Ofa Bamberg can develop marketable everyday products in a short period of time,' explains Dr. Johannes Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of Management of INDUS Holding AG. 'The INDUS Group supports its portfolio companies with innovation expertise and financial resources through its in-house development bank model.'

Innovation & sustainability

For the production of the new compression stocking, Ofa Bamberg relies on natural fibers obtained from the oil of the castor-oil plant. This renewable raw material has been used for some time in the textile industry. Only little water is needed for the production of the organic yarn. In addition, CO2 emissions during production are about 25 percent lower than for the processing of polyamide and fewer fossil raw materials are required than in the production of conventional compression stockings. Ofa Bamberg uses purely natural colorants from the outer walnut shell for dyeing.

'Environmentally friendly materials and sustainable production are future-oriented,' stresses Rainer Kliewe, Managing Director of Ofa Bamberg. 'With Lastofa Verde, we have mastered the challenge of remaining true to our claim of maximum comfort and high medical effectiveness even with sustainable materials. The INDUS Group has given us the necessary leeway to do this.' That this has paid off is also shown by the recognition of the experts: at Expolife International, the trade fair for medical, rehabilitation and orthopedic technology in Kassel, the sustainable stocking already received its first award at its presentation in spring. Lastofa Verde will be available at medical retailers in fall 2019.

About INDUS Holding AG:

Established in 1989 and headquartered in Bergisch-Gladbach, INDUS Holding AG is an SME holding company which concentrates on the long-term development of its portfolio companies. The industry focus is on construction and infrastructure, automotive technology, mechanical and plant engineering, medical engineering / life sciences as well as metals technology. As a leading specialist for sustainable corporate development, INDUS attaches great importance to the operational autonomy of its 46 portfolio companies. Since 1995, INDUS Holding AG has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DE0006200108); in 2018, the Group generated revenues of around EUR 1.7 billion.

About Ofa Bamberg GmbH:

Ofa Bamberg GmbH is a manufacturer of medical compression stockings, bandages and orthoses as well as preventive health products such as support and travel stockings. The company was founded in 1928 and has been a subsidiary of INDUS Holding AG since 2000. Ofa sells its products in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2015, Ofa invested in viable target markets and acquired a modern production facility for textile products from ESDA GmbH in Glauchau as well as NEA International B.V. in Maastricht, which operates in the field of orthopedic bandages and orthoses. The Ofa Group generated sales revenues of about EUR 75 million in the fiscal year 2018.