New owners: Josefs-Gesellschaft takes over ctw with Luther

31 May 2019

Luther advises Cologne-based Josefs-Gesellschaft mbH on the acquisition of Caritas Trägergesellschaft, a well-known provider of hospitals and care facilities in the Greater Cologne-Aachen Region.

Caritas Trägergesellschaft West gGmbH (ctw), based in Düren, operates five hospitals, two medical care centres and four nursing and rehabilitation facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia. The previous shareholders were the Carolus Foundation and the Gesellschaft für Anstaltskredit mbH. Now the Josefs-Gesellschaft (majority) and the Diözesancaritasverband for the Diocese of Aachen e.V. (minority) take over ctw.

Josefs-Gesellschaft gGmbH is one of the largest Catholic sponsors of a total of 17 health care facilities, including hospitals, retirement homes and facilities for people with disabilities in North Rhine-Westphalia. The non-profit enterprise with 25 subsidiaries employs more than 7,000 people and is a member of the German Caritas Association.

A team from Luther Lawfirm led by partner Dr. Oliver Kairies and counsel Dr. Hendrik Sehy provided legal advice to the Josefs-Gesellschaft and the Diocesan Caritas Association for the Diocese of Aachen on the purchase and carried out the merger control proceedings at the Federal Cartel Office. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the contract. By integrating ctw into a larger and more efficient network of owners, the experienced Josefs-Gesellschaft can guarantee the preservation of the facilities and jobs and is able to position ctw for the future.

For the Josefs-Gesellschaft:

Luther, Corporate / M&A, Regulatory: Dr. Oliver Kairies, Dr. Hendrik Sehy (both lead), Dr. Sebastian Rabe, Frances Wolf, Stefan Tolksdorf, Dr. Karina Wojtowicz.

Luther, Employment: Prof. Dr. Robert von Steinau-Steinrück, Dr. Hilmar Rölz

Luther, Real Estate: Ingo Erberich

Luther, IP/IT: Dr. Michael Rath, Daniel Lehmann

Luther, Merger Control Law: Dr. Helmut Janssen, Tim Börker