mobilezone to acquire Apfelkiste and MAREIN for CHF 180 million

2026-03-23 - 06:30

mobilezone expects to complete the acquisition of AK Group by the end of June 2026. The company will pay approximately CHF 180 million in cash to the selling parties, which include the Swiss investment company Invision, Apfelkiste founder Pierre Droigk, and a co‐founder. It will propose Pierre Droigk, current Group CEO of AK Group, for election to its Board of Directors at the 2027 Annual General Meeting. AK Group comprises the e‐commerce platform Apfelkiste and the retail branding and sourcing company MAREIN. The group employs around 100 people. It reported revenue of over CHF 100 million in 2025, with EBITDA of approximately CHF 20 million. Apfelkiste offers more than 60,000 products across smartphone accessories, lifestyle, and home segments, and has maintained continuous growth since its founding in 2011. MAREIN, founded in 1979 and part of AK Group since 2024, specialises in retail, branding, and sourcing, and owns brands including I AM CREATIVE, Esmée, and Paladin Safe. Markus Bernhard, Executive Delegate of the Board of Directors of mobilezone, said: Markus Bernhard “For many years, we have followed the impressive success story of Apfelkiste. The company’s ability to continue growing strongly even after the COVID pandemic speaks to the quality of its business model and its prudent management. We are convinced that mobilezone, Apfelkiste, and MAREIN complement each other extremely well and are delighted to combine our strengths for the future.” Pierre Droigk added: Pierre Droigk “Since our founding in 2011, Apfelkiste has built a loyal customer base and has become the first choice for accessories and trend products. Being able to present our products in physical retail stores has been one of our major visions from the very beginning, and we are even more pleased that this turns reality.” The acquisition will drive significant revenue and EBITDA growth for mobilezone. The company expects pro forma EBITDA for 2026 to reach CHF 60–67 million and aims for a medium‐term target of CHF 70 million by 2028. Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by pressfoto via Freepik