Skip to content
Brand AI

Gerresheimer

Request correction

Corporate brand

Unclaimed

A German manufacturer of pharmaceutical and cosmetic primary packaging and drug-delivery systems made from specialty glass and plastics.

Last updated August 25, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile yet.

Overview

Gerresheimer AG is a German industrial company focused on primary packaging for medicines, healthcare products and cosmetics, together with drug-delivery and medical-device systems. Its portfolio combines specialty glass, molded glass, plastics and increasingly complex device technologies. Products include vials, ampoules, cartridges, bottles, syringes, inhalation components, injection and infusion devices, and other systems used to contain, protect, administer or measure pharmaceutical products. The company traces its origins to 1864, when Ferdinand Heye established a glassworks in Gerresheim, then associated with Düsseldorf. The business initially became known as a major producer of bottles and other glass containers. Under the Heye family, it adopted industrial production methods and obtained European patent rights for the Owens automatic bottle-making machine, which entered operation at Gerresheim in 1908. This helped place the company within the modernization of large-scale glass manufacturing. During the twentieth century, Gerresheimer changed ownership several times. Owens-Illinois acquired a significant stake in 1959 and became the majority shareholder in 1971. The company adopted the name Gerresheimer Glas AG in 1972. It became independent again in the mid-1980s, later passed through ownership associated with WestLB, VIAG, Investcorp and Blackstone, and was removed from the stock exchange in 2003. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the business progressively moved away from mass-market beer and mineral-water bottles toward higher-value packaging for pharmaceuticals, life sciences and cosmetics. The company returned to the public markets in 2007 as Gerresheimer AG and joined the MDAX in 2008. Its subsequent expansion has combined acquisitions, international manufacturing and development of medical technologies. The purchase of the Wilden Group in 2007 strengthened plastic medical systems. Acquisitions and investments in Brazil, India and other regions expanded its geographic reach, while the purchase of Sensile Medical in 2018 added micropump technology and supported the Advanced Technologies division. Gerresheimer also holds a majority interest in Respimetrix, which develops inhalation-measurement technology. Gerresheimer operates production and development sites across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Reference material describes a network of approximately 47 locations in 16 countries. Its customers are primarily pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and cosmetics companies that require regulated, consistent and technically specialized packaging or delivery components. The company presents itself as a development and manufacturing partner rather than merely a commodity container producer, emphasizing product quality, regulatory compliance, process reliability and integrated device solutions. Sustainability and operational safety have become stated elements of its corporate strategy. Gerresheimer joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2021 and set a goal of sourcing all electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030. The company has also reported renewable-electricity use at its Boleslawiec site and reductions in its carbon footprint and occupational accident rate relative to stated baselines. In December 2024, Gerresheimer announced an agreement to acquire Blitz LuxCo Sarl, the parent company of Bormioli Pharma Group, an Italian supplier of primary pharmaceutical packaging made from glass and plastic. The proposed transaction would broaden Gerresheimer’s European production footprint and pharmaceutical-packaging portfolio. In 2025, a consortium including KKR and Warburg Pincus submitted a non-binding bid for Gerresheimer AG; the reference material does not establish a completed transaction. Gerresheimer therefore remains an active, publicly traded German supplier serving regulated healthcare and cosmetics markets.

History

Gerresheimer’s history begins in 1864, when Ferdinand Heye founded a glassmaking business in Gerresheim near Düsseldorf. The company operated under a name associated with the Heye family and the Gerresheim glassworks. After the business was converted into a stock corporation in 1888, Heye’s son Hermann joined its management and became chairman in 1891. Hermann Heye remained a central figure in the company’s development until his death in 1941. The company pursued industrial scale and technical modernization early in its history. In 1907, Hermann Heye founded a European association of bottle manufacturers and secured European patent rights for the Owens automatic bottle-making machine. Gerresheimer placed the machine into operation in 1908, helping automate bottle production. For much of the twentieth century, the business was associated with large-scale glass containers, including bottles for beverages as well as containers for industrial and consumer markets. Ownership changed substantially after the Second World War. Owens-Illinois acquired a 50.1 percent stake in 1959 and became the majority owner in 1971. In 1972, the company was renamed Gerresheimer Glas AG. It became independent again from November 1985, when WestLB acquired approximately 58 percent of the shares from Owens-Illinois. VIAG later became associated with the ownership structure through its majority position in WestLB. In 2000, VIAG sold its stake to a consortium led by Investcorp in connection with the financing of the E.ON foundation. Gerresheimer Glas was delisted in 2003, and Blackstone acquired the company at the end of 2004. From the 1990s onward, Gerresheimer made a strategic transition from broad-based beverage-bottle production to specialized packaging for pharmaceuticals, life sciences and cosmetics. The Gerresheim glassworks and five other facilities were sold to BSN glasspack, a Danone subsidiary, in 1999. Owens-Illinois later acquired BSN glasspack, but closed the Gerresheim glassworks in 2005. The former industrial site subsequently became the subject of redevelopment plans, separate from Gerresheimer’s continuing operating business. The modern Gerresheimer AG emerged after the company returned to the stock market in June 2007. That year it acquired the Wilden Group, which was later renamed Gerresheimer Regensburg and integrated into the Medical Systems business within the Plastic & Devices division. The company continued international expansion through the acquisition of Brazilian closure manufacturer Tampas Herméticas Védat in 2011 and majority investments in Indian companies Neutral Glass & Allied Industries and Triveni Polymers in 2012. Gerresheimer broadened both its portfolio and technology base during the following decade. It acquired Centor in 2015, sold its tubing operations to Corning in the same year and established a joint venture with Corning intended to accelerate pharmaceutical-glass innovation. In 2016 it sold Kimble Chase, a joint venture with Chase Scientific Glass, to the Duran Group. In 2018 it acquired Swiss medical-technology company Sensile Medical, adding micropump capabilities and creating the Advanced Technologies division. Since 2019, Gerresheimer has held 60 percent of Respimetrix, a company active in inhalation measurement. The company completed a plant in Skopje in the first half of 2021 and has continued to operate production sites across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Sustainability became a more explicit strategic theme during this period. Gerresheimer joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2021, set a target for electricity consumption to come entirely from renewable sources by 2030, and reported renewable-electricity use at its Boleslawiec site. The company also reported a reduction in its carbon footprint and occupational accident rate against stated reference points. In December 2024, Gerresheimer announced the acquisition of Blitz LuxCo Sarl, the parent of Bormioli Pharma Group. Bormioli Pharma’s focus on primary pharmaceutical packaging in glass and plastic is aligned with Gerresheimer’s principal market and would expand its European manufacturing presence. In 2025, a consortium including KKR and Warburg Pincus made a non-binding bid for Gerresheimer. The supplied material does not confirm completion of the proposed transaction. The company’s present identity is therefore that of a global, publicly traded supplier of regulated pharmaceutical packaging, medical systems and selected drug-delivery technologies.

  • 2025

    Non-binding takeover bid reported

    [1]

    A consortium including KKR and Warburg Pincus submitted a non-binding bid for Gerresheimer AG.

  • 2024

    Bormioli Pharma parent acquisition announced

    [1]

    Gerresheimer announced the acquisition of Blitz LuxCo Sarl, the parent of Bormioli Pharma Group.

  • 2021

    UN Global Compact and sustainability commitments

    [1]

    Gerresheimer became a United Nations Global Compact signatory and announced a goal of obtaining all electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

  • 2018

    Sensile Medical acquired

    [1]

    The acquisition of Sensile Medical added micropump technology and supported the Advanced Technologies division.

  • 2015

    Centor acquisition and Corning transaction

    [1]

    Gerresheimer acquired Centor, sold its tubing operations to Corning and established a pharmaceutical-glass innovation joint venture with Corning.

  • 2008

    Included in the MDAX

    [1]

    Gerresheimer entered the German MDAX index.

  • 2007

    Return to public markets and Wilden acquisition

    [1]

    Gerresheimer returned to the stock market as Gerresheimer AG and acquired the Wilden Group.

  • 2005

    Gerresheim glassworks closes

    [1]

    Owens-Illinois closed the former Gerresheim glassworks.

  • 2003

    Delisting

    [1]

    Gerresheimer Glas was removed from the stock exchange.

  • 1999

    Gerresheim glassworks sold to BSN glasspack

    [1]

    The Gerresheim glassworks and five other production facilities were sold to BSN glasspack.

Products and positioning

A high-specification packaging and drug-delivery partner for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and cosmetics companies, differentiated by specialty materials, regulated manufacturing, global production and device-development capabilities.

  • Primary pharmaceutical packaging

    Pharmaceutical glass containers

    Gerresheimer manufactures specialty-glass packaging used directly with medicines, including vials, ampoules, bottles and related formats. These containers are designed for regulated pharmaceutical applications where dimensional consistency, chemical resistance, barrier performance, cleanliness and compatibility with filling processes are important. Vials are a particularly significant product category for the company.

  • Primary pharmaceutical packaging

    Plastic pharmaceutical packaging

    The company produces molded and assembled plastic packaging for pharmaceutical and healthcare applications. The range includes containers, closures and components manufactured for regulated markets. Plastic capabilities complement Gerresheimer’s glass operations and support customers seeking lightweight, design-specific or integrated packaging formats.

  • Medical devices

    Medical systems and drug-delivery devices

    Gerresheimer’s Medical Systems activities cover components and systems used to administer medicines, including devices associated with injection, infusion and other delivery routes. The business combines plastics manufacturing, assembly and device engineering, allowing the company to participate in products that extend beyond the container itself.

  • Advanced drug-delivery technology · 2018

    Micropump systems

    Micropump technology entered Gerresheimer’s portfolio through its 2018 acquisition of Swiss medical-technology company Sensile Medical. The capability forms part of the Advanced Technologies division and is intended for controlled delivery applications requiring compact, precisely engineered pumping systems.

  • Respiratory technology · 2019

    Inhalation measurement technology

    Through its majority ownership of Respimetrix, Gerresheimer participates in inhalation-measurement technology. This activity supports the characterization and development of inhalation-related products and complements the company’s wider drug-delivery and medical-device capabilities.

  • Cosmetics packaging

    Cosmetic packaging

    Gerresheimer supplies glass and plastic packaging for cosmetic products. These formats draw on the company’s materials, forming and finishing expertise while addressing the appearance, protection and production requirements of the cosmetics market.

Brand decisions

  • 2024

    Acquisition of Bormioli Pharma parent announcedM&A

    Background

    Bormioli Pharma’s primary pharmaceutical-packaging activities fit Gerresheimer’s core market and could expand its European manufacturing network.

    Action taken

    Gerresheimer announced the acquisition of Blitz LuxCo Sarl, the parent company of Bormioli Pharma Group.

    Aftermath

    The available reference material describes the announcement but does not establish all completion details or post-transaction operating effects.

    Source

  • 2021

    Renewable-electricity and sustainability programStrategy

    Background

    Environmental performance and occupational safety became explicit elements of Gerresheimer’s corporate strategy.

    Action taken

    The company joined the United Nations Global Compact and set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030.

    Aftermath

    Gerresheimer reported renewable-electricity use at its Boleslawiec site and reductions in its carbon footprint and accident rate against stated baselines.

    Source

  • 2018

    Acquisition of Sensile MedicalM&A

    Background

    Gerresheimer wanted to broaden its healthcare offering from packaging into advanced drug-delivery technology.

    Action taken

    The company acquired Swiss medical-technology business Sensile Medical and established the Advanced Technologies division.

    Aftermath

    Gerresheimer added micropump expertise and strengthened its position in technically complex delivery systems.

    Source

  • 2015

    Acquisition of CentorM&A

    Background

    Gerresheimer aimed to strengthen its pharmaceutical-packaging and delivery-system activities.

    Action taken

    The company acquired Centor.

    Aftermath

    The transaction expanded Gerresheimer’s presence in pharmaceutical packaging and related systems.

    Source

  • 2015

    Tubing sale and Corning innovation joint ventureStrategy

    Background

    Gerresheimer reviewed its glass portfolio while seeking to accelerate innovation in pharmaceutical glass.

    Action taken

    It sold its tubing operations to Corning and formed a joint venture with Corning focused on pharmaceutical-glass innovation.

    Aftermath

    The move concentrated Gerresheimer’s activities while preserving a collaborative route to new pharmaceutical-glass technologies.

    Source

  • 2007

    Acquisition of the Wilden GroupM&A

    Background

    Gerresheimer sought to expand beyond traditional glass containers into plastic medical systems.

    Action taken

    The company acquired the Wilden Group and later renamed it Gerresheimer Regensburg.

    Aftermath

    The acquired business became part of the Medical Systems business within the Plastic & Devices division.

    Source

  • 1990

    Shift toward specialized packagingStrategy

    Background

    Gerresheimer historically produced substantial volumes of beverage bottles, but changing ownership and market priorities supported a gradual move toward pharmaceutical, life-sciences and cosmetics packaging.

    Action taken

    The company reduced its emphasis on mass-market beer and water bottles and developed a more specialized portfolio centered on regulated packaging and medical systems.

    Aftermath

    The strategic repositioning established the basis of Gerresheimer’s modern identity as a healthcare-packaging and drug-delivery supplier.

    Source

Recent events

  • Unconfirmed

    Gerresheimer raises mid-term EBITDA margin guidance[2]

    Gerresheimer raised its mid-term guidance for the group adjusted EBITDA margin to 23–25%.

  • Unconfirmed

    Gerresheimer reports FY 2021 results[2]

    Gerresheimer reported FY 2021 core business revenue of EUR 1,497 million, with organic growth of 7.6%, and core business adjusted EBITDA of EUR 324 million on a currency-adjusted basis.

  • Reported

    Gerresheimer appoints Ueli Utzinger as Communication & Marketing Director[3]

    Gerresheimer appointed Ueli Utzinger as its new Group Senior Director Communication & Marketing, effective December 1, 2021.

  • Gerresheimer receives Sustainability Heroes Award[4]

    Gerresheimer was selected for the Sustainability Heroes Award in the Sustainability Strategy category. The award winners were honored during the conference held October 26–28, 2021.

  • Reported

    Gerresheimer receives AstraZeneca sustainability award for 2020[5]

    Gerresheimer's Horšovský Týn and Pfreimd production plants received Gold certificates from AstraZeneca for 2020 under its supplier sustainability program.

Read more

Sources6 sources

  1. 1Gerresheimeren.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Gerresheimer上调中期EBITDA利润率指引pharmaceuticalonline.com
  3. 3Gerresheimer任命Ueli Utzinger为传播与营销总监premiumbeautynews.com
  4. 4Gerresheimer 获得 Sustainability Heroes 奖pharmaceuticalonline.com
  5. 5Gerresheimer 获得阿斯利康 2020 年可持续发展奖pharmaceutical-business-review.com
  6. 6Gerresheimer raises revenue guidance for 2022 to double-digit growth after strong first quartereuropapress.es

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/gerresheimer · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled