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Ulf Schneider
CEO, Fresenius
Age: 49
Years as a CEO:
Tenure: 0
Industry: Healthcare
CEO DOSSIER
At just 37, Ulf M Schneider, known as Mark, was a surprise appointment when he was made CEO of healthcare giant Fresenius. But he has grown the firm and increased its profits, what else does he have in store for the world’s biggest provider of kidney dialysis?
early years
Born in Germany in 1965, Mark has a degree in finance and accounting and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of St Gallen in Switzerland and an MBA from Harvard.
In 1989 he started working for Franz Haniel & Cie, holding several senior executive positions before rising to Group Finance Director for the Coventry-based Gehe UK plc, a pharmaceutical wholesale and retail distributor which is part of the Haniel group, in 1995.
Mark joined Fresenius in November 2001 as chief financial officer of Fresenius Medical Care. At the age of 37, he then became CEO on May 28, 2003 when he was chosen by his predecessor Gerd Krick. His appointment was greeted with surprise by employees at the firm as he was still a relative newcomer to the firm and Mark himself says he was not expecting the promotion.
As ceo
Since taking the top job at Fresenius, Mark has raised the company’s revenues and helped the firm increase its global presence. In the first five years he increased sales by 50% to $14.5 billion and operating profit by 85% to $1.9 billion. In that period the price of shares in the firm quadrupled.
Mark has pursued a strategy of expansion through acquisitions aiming to strengthen all three of the firm’s major divisions with small and medium purchases. But although he recognises the importance of small acquisitions, he has not shied away from larger deals. In 2006 he led the purchase of Renal Care Group Inc and Helios Kliniken GmbH for almost $6 billion. Buying Helios Kliniken made Fresenius one of the top three hospital operators in Germany.
In July 2008 Fresenius agreed to buy U.S drug manufacturer APP Pharmaceuticals for $3.7 billion. The firm makes generic drugs which are administered intravenously, which Mark felt would be a good fit with Fresenius Kabi, which provides intravenous therapies and nutrition.
Mark has significant international experience, having studied at Harvard and worked for Fresenius in the U.S and for Gehe in Britain. And he says this have given him a global outlook, adding: “The most advanced companies play according to similar rules because they need to attract capital on a global basis.”
And Mark has been keen to expand the business in emerging markets like China where life-saving treatments like dialysis are becoming increasingly affordable. He told the Wall Street Journal: “We've been in China since 1982, but we were there with our nutritional unit and later on added some other drugs and infusion products. Dialysis has always been kind of a slow crawl in China. We're now growing there north of 30%.”
Under Mark’s direction, the company has also diversified and started exploring biotech markets, working on drugs to treat cancer. He says: “A lot of people saw [Fresenius cancer research] as coming out of left field. Now people see we're on to something."
In April 2012 he unveiled a plan to buy Rhön-Klinikum for €3.1 billion with a view to creating a national network of private hospitals in Germany. Its existing hospital subsidiary, Fresenius Helios, has 63 hospitals and reported €2.7 billion sales in 2011. The acquisition of Rhön would have added another 53 hospitals and 39 healthcare centres to its network.
But the bid was defeated after four months and Fresenius walked away from the deal. In September 2012 Mark said Fresenius would not submit a renewed offer “for the time being” but that it would raise its stake in Rhön to just over 5%.
Away from work
Mark is married to an American, Jessica Hopfield, and is a naturalised US citizen. He enjoys running marathons and landscape photography.
He serves on the board of Bürgerhospital Frankfurt, a not-for profit hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. He also chairs the European Advisory Board of Harvard Business School.
Leadership and philosophy
Mark has a down-to-earth leadership style, regular communicating with staff in all arms of Fresenius. He has also gained a reputation for taking on other jobs in the company for a day to gain a better perspective of the firm and the roles within it. He says:
“Physically the hardest and toughest job is to do some of these shifts as a nurse. It's mentally challenging and absolutely exhausting. It gives me a whole lot of respect for what these people do, day in and day out, coping with the patients, coping with the families, and just keeping the station going.”
He has always had an international outlook to management, something which was encouraged in his formative years. He says:
“When I was growing up in Germany, my father pushed me hard to become fluent in English. ‘No matter what you are going to do,’ he told me, ‘this will give you an edge. The English language is the operating system of the free world.’”
He also believes in accountability and seeing your decisions through. He adds:
“[At Fresenius] people stick around long enough to live with the consequences of what they do.”
Our Three Questions
1. When you were appointed CEO of Fresenius, it came as a surprise to many people. What were your thoughts when you were promoted?
2. How do you feel your international experience has helped you in your role?
3. Has your experience with the failed bid to buy Rhön-Klinikum changed your thoughts on the future growth of the company?
Date Written
07-05-2013Sources
The Wall Street Journal
Fortune
Reuters
Bloomberg Businessweek
The Wall Street Journal
Fortune
Reuters
Bloomberg Businessweek
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Videos
2014-05-1620.93
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Fresenius Annual General Meeting 2014 - Speech of the CEO (Translation)
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UPDATE 1-Fresenius ends Russia joint venture, feels impact of Ukraine crisis
"Everyone I've talked to in the industry has seen revenue decrease, and it's a whole bag of things and we're no exception to that," Fresenius Chief Executive Ulf Schneider told analysts in a conference call on Tuesday after the group reported third-quarter ... read more...
2014-11-07 06:06:41
UPDATE 1-Fresenius ends Russia joint venture, feels impact of Ukraine crisis
"Everyone I've talked to in the industry has seen revenue decrease, and it's a whole bag of things and we're no exception to that," Fresenius Chief Executive Ulf Schneider told analysts in a conference call on Tuesday after the group reported third-quarter ... read more...
2014-11-07 06:06:41
Fresenius ends Russia joint venture, feels impact of Ukraine crisis
"Everyone I've talked to in the industry has seen revenue decrease, and it's a whole bag of things and we're no exception to that," Fresenius Chief Executive Ulf Schneider told analysts in a conference call on Tuesday after the group reported third-quarter ... read more...
2014-11-07 06:06:41
German Health-Care Company Scraps Russian Plans
"Everyone I've talked to in the industry has seen revenue decrease, and it's a whole bag of things and we're no exception to that," Fresenius Chief Executive Ulf Schneider told analysts in a conference call on Tuesday after the group reported third-quarter ... read more...
2014-11-06 23:54:27
Fresenius Q3 Profit Rises; Backs Full-year Forecast
In Asia-Pacific, the growth was 25 percent at 602 million euros. Ulf Mark Schneider, CEO, said, "Fresenius had a strong third quarter with growth accelerating in all four business segments. Emerging markets stood out with double-digit organic sales growth. read more...
2014-11-04 02:06:52
Specter of Renewed Crisis Polarizes Europe
“France is a good example when it comes to delaying much-needed fiscal reforms,” said Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius Management, a German health care company. But he said that Germany lags in changes to improve its competitiveness. read more...
2014-10-16 16:15:20
FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG & CO. KGAA ENGLISH
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement Last name Wanzek First name Kent Company Fresenius Medical Care Management ... to the disclosure requirement Last name Schneider First name Dr. Ulf M. weiterlesen ... Mehr dazu von ... read more...
2014-09-16 17:12:23
DGAP-DD Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA english
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement Last name Schneider First name Dr. Ulf M. Position Member of a managing body Information about the transaction with duty of notification Description of the financial instrument Fresenius SE ... read more...
2014-09-11 16:42:31
DGAP-DD Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA english
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement Last name Schneider First name Dr. Ulf M. Position Member of a managing body Information about the transaction with duty of notification Description of the financial instrument Fresenius SE ... read more...
2014-09-05 17:18:16
DGAP-DD Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA english
Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement Last name Schneider First name Dr. Ulf M. Position Member of a managing body Information about the transaction with duty of notification Description of the financial instrument Fresenius SE ... read more...
2014-09-05 16:35:19
Europe Crisis Is Resistant to Remedy of Low Rates
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. ''Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out,'' Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. ''They cannot ... read more...
2014-09-04 05:30:47
ECB's 'negative deposit rate' reinforces fear that Eurozone economy is in decline
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. "Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out," Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-03 11:22:44
ECB's 'negative deposit rate' reinforces fear that Eurozone economy is in decline
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. "Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out," Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-03 11:01:15
Easy Money Failing to Spur Turnaround for Europe
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. “Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out,” Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-02 20:49:25
Easy Money Failing to Spur Turnaround for Europe
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. “Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out,” Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-02 20:49:25
Easy Money Failing to Spur Turnaround for Europe
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. “Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out,” Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-02 20:49:25
Easy Money Failing to Spur Turnaround for Europe
Market rates are already about as low as they can go. “Policy options on monetary policy are maxed out,” Ulf M. Schneider, chief executive of Fresenius, a health care company in Germany that is listed on the blue-chip DAX Index, said in an email. read more...
2014-09-02 18:54:53
Mark Schneider Elected to DuPont Board of Directors
WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont today announced the election of Ulf M. "Mark" Schneider, President and CEO of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA to its board of directors, effective Oct. 22. "Mark leads a significant global healthcare business ... read more...
2014-08-30 22:04:34
Mark Schneider Elected to DuPont Board of Directors
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2014-08-15 21:10:46
Mark Schneider Elected to DuPont Board of Directors
WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont today announced the election of Ulf M. "Mark" Schneider, President and CEO of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA to its board of directors, effective Oct. 22. "Mark leads a significant global healthcare business ... read more...
2014-08-15 21:10:46
Mark Schneider Elected to DuPont Board of Directors
Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont today announced the election of Ulf M. "Mark" Schneider, President and CEO of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA to its ... Traveling from Oregon to California, Biddy the hedgehog has made the most of their summer vacation! read more...
2014-08-12 13:43:21
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Financials
Business summary
Employees: 85,368
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, a kidney dialysis company, provides products and services for the treatment of end-stage renal disease worldwide. The company owns and operates dialysis clinics that provide dialysis treatment, and related laboratory and diagnostic services. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 2,898 clinics in approximately 40 countries. The companys laboratory services comprise blood, urine, and other bodily fluid testing services. It also offers hemodialysis (HD) machines; modular components for dialysis machines; polysulfone dialyzers; bloodlines, HD solutions, concentrates, and granulates; needles; connectors; machines for water treatment; data administration systems; dialysis chairs; iron products; and other renal drug products, as well as peritoneal dialysis cycler machines and disposable products. In addition, the company also provides adsorbers, which are specialized filters used in other extracorporeal therapies; and distributes specific instruments for vascular access, as well as other supplies that include bandages, clamps, and injections. Further, it offers dialysis solutions in bags, such as solutions for priming and rinsing HD bloodlines, as well as connection systems for central concentrate supplies and devices for mixing dialysis solutions; and solutions for disinfecting and decalcifying HD machines, fistula needles, and HD catheters, as well as dialysis tubing systems and accessories. Additionally, the company provides a line of peritoneal dialysis systems and solutions, which comprise continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis systems. It also offers automated connection technology; and patient management software tools to support both CAPD and APD therapies. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA sells its products through local sales forces, independent distributors, dealers, and sales agents. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Bad Homburg, Germany.
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