Westermann is a German publisher founded in 1838. Its imprints include Schroedel, Diesterweg, Schoeningh, Westermann, Winklers, Spectra, Logo, Advesco, Schubi, Dorner, Westermann Wien, Arena Verlag mit Ensslin, Westermann Lernspielverlag, and Berufsschulverlag BV1.

Medien Union GmbH is a holding company with stakes in several large German regional newspapers, including Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Stuttgarter Zeitung, Die Rheinpfalz, and the national daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, as well as in a number of radio stations.

Medien Union, founded in 1947, is the parent company of the regional daily Rheinpfalz which began in September 1945 with help from the Allied Forces that occupied Germany after WW II, and is controlled by the Schaub family (holding 50.4% through Dieter Schaub, son of founder Joseph Schaub), and the families of co-founders Arthur Lenk, Hans Wipprecht, Xaver Resch and the Nagel family.

Analysis & Key Developments

Financial

In 2013, Westermann’s group revenues totaled 290 million EUR, an increase of 9% against the previous year’s estimate by Buchreport of 266 million EUR.

Ownership, Mergers & Acquisition, Internal Organization

In February 2014, Westerman’s long-term CEO Hans-Dieter Moeller left the company. Ralf Halfbrodt became new CEO. Halfbrodt previously served as managing director in the newspaper sector.

Earlier Developments

Financial

In 2012, Buchreport estimated the group’s revenues at 265.7 million EUR, an increase of 2% against 2011's estimate (260.5 million EUR).

Ownership, Mergers & Acquisition, Internal Organization

In May 2013, Westermann took over the Cologne-based professional publisher Bildungsverlag Eins, which had estimated revenues of 27 million EUR. Westermann had already acquired their education, primary school and middle school programs, which were not part of the core business.

Digital

Together with fourteen publishing houses which are part of Verband Bildungsmedien e.V. (Educational Media Association), including heavy-weights such as Cornelsen and Klett, Westermann launched an online platform for digital learning that offers the opportunity to manage e-books books purchased in various online stores. Westermann also launched a digital platform that helps teachers prepare their lessons.

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