BERLIN (Reuters) -German prosthetics maker Ottobock is eying a valuation of more than 6 billion euros ($7 billion) as it plans to go public between late September and mid-October, business daily Handelsblatt reported on Thursday, citing financial and company sources.
Owner and Chairman Hans Georg Naeder and his family will likely put 25% to 30% of their shares up for sale in an initial public offering, but divesting in steps over time is also an option, the paper said.
Handelsblatt quoted CEO Oliver Jakobi as saying the company is ready for a potential IPO but would not elaborate.
A company spokesperson said there had been no decision yet and declined further comment.
Separately, the artificial-limbs maker on Thursday reported first-half adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 30.5% to 180 million euros on sales of 801 million euros, helped by product launches and acquisitions.
Financial advisers have seen Ottobock as an IPO candidate during the second half, alongside generic drugmaker Stada, Deutsche Boerse’s research and technology unit ISS Stoxx, and classifieds business Swiss Marketplace Group, Reuters reported last month.
Owner Naeder put initial plans to take Ottobock public on hold in 2022.
($1 = 0.8581 euros)
(Writing by Rachel More and Ludwig Burger; editing by Matthias Williams)
