Bechtle anchor shareholder launches foundation

• Schick family shareholding secured for the long term
• Foundation pursues charitable goals
• Tribute to life’s work of Bechtle co-founder Gerhard Schick

Karin Schick today announced the inception of a foundation named after her parents, Gerhard and Ilse Schick. A co-founder of Bechtle, Gerhard Schick has shaped the company for decades working side by side with co-founder Ralf Klenk, paving the way to great success. With a holding of more than 30%, the Schick family is Bechtle AG’s largest shareholder.

The Gerhard and Ilse Schick Foundation will be based in Gaildorf, where Bechtle AG has had its financial headquarters for decades. Karin Schick is contributing 4.5 million Bechtle shares to the foundation’s endowment funds, equalling 3.57% of Bechtle AG’s share capital. The remaining shares held by Karin Schick will be transferred to the foundation upon her death, guaranteeing Bechtle AG an anchor shareholder for generations to come. 

The foundation will exclusively pursue charitable, benevolent, and ecclesiastical causes. It was launched to honour the achievements and life’s work of Gerhard and Ilse Schick as well as the culture and values of Bechtle AG as a founder-owned company.

The Schick family has been involved in charitable work for decades. For example, the Gaildorf community foundation, initiated by the family of entrepreneurs back in 2000, is committed to promoting the education of young people and adults in their native Swabian region of Germany. Moreover, the family also founded the Community Knowledge Center in King’Ori, north-east Tanzania, to enable children, young adults, and adults access to education in the structurally weak region.