Spanish BlueSun Takes the Reins: Fit Bid Farewell, New Era Begins
A transition dilemma: Cleaning product companies up for acquisition.
Unveiling a new chapter, household cleaner manufacturer Fit officially changes hands, with the Spanish BlueSun group stepping up to the plate. This development signifies the conclusion of Fit's independent reign. The financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, as both parties have agreed to maintain confidentiality. Fit GmbH will continue to operate independently within the BlueSun group. The production site near the charming Saxon town of Zittau and the associated jobs are secure.
Among its portfolio of brands, Fit is recognized for its iconic dishwasher detergent, Fit, as well as Kuschelweich, Rei, and others in tubes. The company also specializes in body care brands, such as Gard, Fenjal, and MUM.
For over a year, company CEO, Wolfgang Groß, had been on the hunt for a buyer, seeking opportunities to expand Fit's reach into Southern European, French, and Benelux markets. The sale is expected to close by the end of August, followed by the appointment of a new CEO.
In 2020, Fit GmbH reported a turnover of approximately €377 million with a workforce of roughly 290 employees. Meanwhile, the Spanish powerhouse in household products, BlueSun, boasted a turnover of around €300 million with around 500 employees.
Interestingly, Dr. Wolfgang Groß purchased the company from the Treuhandanstalt back in 1992, a time when the dishwasher detergent Fit was nearly synonymous with every household in East Germany before reunification. Production figures plummeted from 50,000 to 9,000 tonnes between 1989 and 1991, with only 60 employees still working at the Hirschfelde plant near Zittau[1].
Sources: ntv.de, jwu
- Saxony
- Consumer goods
- Takeovers and mergers
[1] MDR report on the decline of Fit production in the early 1990s.
The purchase of Fit GmbH by Spanish BlueSun has potentially opened new opportunities for expansion into Southern European, French, and Benelux markets, focusing on the manufacturing of consumer goods such as household cleaners and body care products. With the new ownership, employment in the Zittau production site and related industries is expected to remain stable.
