Sanitätshaus Kowsky

What Sanitätshaus Kowsky does

Sanitätshaus Kowsky GmbH is a family-owned German medical supply retailer (Sanitätshaus) headquartered in Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein, founded in 1910 and now led by second-generation owner Jörg Kowsky and third-generation co-director Carolin Kowsky. The company operates across four integrated business areas: Sanitätshaus (general medical supplies and consumer retail), Orthopädie (custom prosthetics and orthoses manufactured in in-house workshops), Reha (rehabilitation technology, mobility aids, home modifications, vehicle adaptations), and Homecare (ambulatory nursing services including wound, incontinence, and stoma care). With 230+ employees and a network of 14 directly-owned branches plus two affiliated entities (Sanitätshaus OSN and Sanitätshaus Wiese) totaling 16 locations across Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Kowsky is positioned as one of the largest and most established Sanitätshäuser in northern Germany.

The company generates revenue through three primary streams: prescription-based medical aids billed to statutory (GKV) and private (PKV) health insurers, direct-to-consumer retail of non-prescription items, and professional services including custom fitting, consultation, and home visits. Pricing is set through health insurance reimbursement schedules for prescribed aids and standard retail unit pricing for non-prescription products. The customer base spans individual patients with mobility impairments, chronic conditions (arthritis, lymphedema, lipedema, incontinence), post-surgical needs, and age-related decline, plus B2B institutional clients including clinics, hospitals, care homes, and physician/therapy practices.

Technically, Kowsky relies on traditional orthopedic craft combined with digital foot scanning for custom insoles, and holds exclusive regional access to the Jurtin Medical System insoles (one of three authorized Schleswig-Holstein retailers). The company is a certified Össur Arthrose Kompetenz-Zentrum for knee osteoarthritis and operates WundAktiv Neumünster, a dedicated chronic wound care center. Distribution is dominated by physical retail branches, supplemented by home visits and a Samedo.de-integrated online prescription submission and e-commerce channel. The business remains wholly family-owned with no external institutional capital.

Name

Sanitätshaus Kowsky

Legal name

Sanitätshaus Kowsky GmbH

Website

https://kowsky.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sanitätshaus Kowsky is a family-owned German medical supply retailer operating 16 branches across northern Germany, providing prosthetics, orthotics, mobility aids, compression therapy, homecare, and wound care to individual patients and B2B institutional clients through health insurance billing and direct retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Supply Retail

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

Prosthetics, Orthotics & Bracing (POB) (HSABAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports) (HLAHAMAC), Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Sales & Rentals (HSABAKAA), Orthotics & Bracing (Spinal/Lower/Upper Extremity Orthoses) (HLAHAEAI)

Keywords

• Medical supply retail
• Orthopedic devices
• Rehabilitation equipment
• Homecare services
• Mobility aids

Headquarters

HQ city

Neumünster

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Medical aids and equipment retail: Sale of medical supplies and rehabilitation equipment including orthoses, prosthetics, compression stockings, mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters, rollators), homecare products, and orthopaedic shoes. Products are available with and without medical prescription. Revenue generated through direct purchases and health insurer (GKV/PKV) billing for prescribed aids.
2. Health insurance billing (Hilfsmittelverordnung): Revenue generated through billing with statutory (GKV) and private health insurers (PKV) for prescribed medical aids. Customers receive prescriptions from doctors which are submitted to the Sanitätshaus for supply and insurance reimbursement processing.
3. Professional consultation and fitting services: Charged consultation and custom fitting services for orthotics, prosthetics, compression therapy, and mobility equipment. Includes home visits for rehabilitation and homecare customers requiring in-person assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sanitätshaus Kowsky is a full-service medical supply retailer operating 14+ branches across northern Germany, providing medical aids (Hilfsmittel), custom orthopedic devices, rehabilitation technology, and homecare nursing services. The company sells mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters, rollators), orthoses, prosthetics, compression therapy products, incontinence supplies, custom insoles, and homecare equipment, with both prescription-based insurance billing (GKV/PKV) and direct retail sales. Services include expert consultation, custom fitting, in-house orthotic fabrication, home visits, and an online prescription submission channel via Samedo.de.

Product overview

Sanitätshaus Kowsky operates as a full-service medical supply company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services across four main business areas: Sanitätshaus (medical supplies), Orthopädie (orthopedics/prosthetics), Reha (rehabilitation technology), and Homecare. The core offering includes mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters, rollators), custom orthopedic devices (insoles, braces, prosthetics), compression therapy products, and homecare nursing supplies. The company complements its offerings with branded sub-products including the Sanida private label (bandages, supports), a certified Össur Arthrose-Kompetenz-Zentrum for knee osteoarthritis, Jurtin Medical custom insoles, and Wellbe activating shoes. Services include wheelchair and walking aid provision, home visits, vehicle modifications, home accessibility consulting, wound care (WundAktiv center), and an online prescription submission portal via Samedo. With 13+ branches in Northern Germany and over 230 employees, the company serves both retail consumers and B2B customers including clinics, doctors, and therapy practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SANIDA: A private-label brand of Sanitätshaus Kowsky offering selected products in the categories of aids, mobility, therapy, and care in the middle to upper quality and price segment. A trading brand of NetworCare GmbH, combining expertise from eight owner-managed and independent sanatoriums and health service providers in Germany.

Products and services

• Sanitätshaus (Medical Supply Retail) Full-service medical supply retail offering classic Sanitätshaus articles (insoles, blood pressure monitors, walking sticks, rollators, exercise balls, health shoes, wellness products) plus consultation services in compression therapy, lymphology, breast prosthetics, incontinence, and nursing care. Available with and without medical prescription.
• Orthopädie (Orthopedic Services) Custom-made prosthetic and orthotic devices manufactured in in-house workshops, plus shoe and foot care solutions including custom insoles (Schuheinlagen) using foot scanning technology.
• Reha (Rehabilitation Technology) Complete range of modern rehabilitation and nursing aids including wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, walking aids, vehicle modifications (KFZ-Umbau), and home accessibility consulting (Wohnraumberatung). Includes home visits for aid selection.
• Homecare Ambulatory care services provided by registered nurses, including wound care, incontinence care, stoma care, enteral nutrition, and supply of nursing aids (Pflegehilfsmittel) such as anti-decubitus mattresses.
• WundAktiv Neumünster (Chronic Wound Care Center) Specialized wound center offering professional treatment of chronic wounds including diabetic foot wounds, decubitus, venous leg ulcers (open legs), and post-operative wound healing disorders. Located at Sachsenring 26, Neumünster; open Monday to Friday by appointment.
• Online-Rezeptservice (Online Prescription Service) Online service for submitting medical aid prescriptions and medical equipment orders via the Samedo platform, allowing customers to upload prescriptions digitally for processing and coordination with a Kowsky branch.
• Brustprothetik (Breast Prosthetics) Breast prosthetics and post-mastectomy care products including Anita swimwear and lingerie collections, with personal consultation and fitting.
• Mobilitätshilfen (Mobility Aids) Electric wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, and walking aids for increased independence and comfort in daily life.
• KFZ-Umbau (Vehicle Modifications) Vehicle adaptations for disabled-accessible transportation and personal mobility solutions.
• Wohnraumberatung (Home Modification Consulting) Consulting services for barrier-free home modifications and accessibility improvements, complementing the home lift offerings and homecare services.
• Lifton Homelift (Home Elevators) Private home elevators from Lifton requiring only a 230V outlet, no elevator shaft, and minimal construction. Available in DUO (2 persons, 0.8 sqm) and TRIO (3 persons or wheelchair, 1.3 sqm) models. Exhibited in Neumünster and available for purchase, rental, or as used units through Kowsky.
• Össur Arthrose-Kompetenz-Zentrum (Certified Arthrosis Competence Center) Certified Össur arthrosis competence center providing professional consultation for knee osteoarthritis, offering Össur knee orthoses including the Unloader One X (clinically proven to reduce pain and improve mobility) and the Miami LSO back orthosis, with free trial programs.
• Jurtin Medical System Insoles Proprietary custom orthopedic insole system developed by Willy Jurtin that realigns the heel and restores upright posture, using a unique seated non-weight-bearing technique. Kowsky is one of only three specialist retailers in Schleswig-Holstein authorized to provide these insoles.
• Sanida Private Label Brand Private-label brand for medical supply products made in Germany covering aids, mobility, therapy, and care categories in medium to upper quality and price segments. A brand of NetworCare GmbH combining expertise from eight independent Sanitätshäuser.
• Kompressionstherapie (Compression Therapy) Compression therapy products including compression stockings and armsleeves for lymphedema and lipedema treatment, with Juzo and mediven angio product lines and expert fitting consultation.
• Inkontinenzversorgung (Incontinence Care) Incontinence products including pads in various absorbency levels and sizes, plus consultation services for individuals and caregivers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Knee orthosis (Unloader One X) clinically proven to reduce knee pain and improve mobility in arthritis patients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Samedo.decoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegrated online prescription submission and e-commerce platform for Sanitätshaus Kowsky. Customers upload prescriptions digitally through Samedo.de from the Kowsky website. Original prescriptions still require physical delivery for insurance billing.
• ÖssurcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of knee orthoses (Unloader One X) and back orthoses (Miami LSO). Kowsky is a certified Össur Arthrose Kompetenz-Zentrum. Products are offered with free trial programs and clinical evidence support.
• JuzosupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of compression therapy products. Juzo experts participate in Kowsky's Lymph- und Lipödemtage events, bringing product samples for patients to examine and providing professional education on compression therapy materials and benefits.
• medi (mediven)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of medical compression stockings, specifically the mediven angio product line designed for patients with concurrent venous conditions and arterial insufficiency or diabetes. Product clinically validated for safe use in these patient groups.
• LiftonsupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of homelift products (LiftonDUO and LiftonTRIO). Kowsky exhibits these products in their Neumünster exhibition hall. Lifton homelifts are described as a triple award-winning innovation and can also be rented or purchased used through Kowsky.
• wellbesupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of activity/soft shoes (Wellbe Softschuhe) with innovative sole technology developed in Germany. Kowsky hosts event days with free foot pressure and body analysis by wellbe experts at multiple branch locations.
• Jurtin MedicalsupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of the Jurtin Medical System insoles – a proprietary orthotic system. Kowsky is one of only three specialist retailers in Schleswig-Holstein authorized to provide these insoles, which are created using a unique seated, non-weight-bearing technique.
• BSG Neumünster (Behindertensportgemeinschaft)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability sports community group. Collaborates with Kowsky on safety training events for wheelchair and rollator users, including practical outdoor obstacle courses and in-store demonstrations at the exhibition hall.
• LiftaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStair lift manufacturer. Representative present at Kowsky mobility days allowing customers to try stair lifts and receive consultation on home accessibility solutions.
• SANIDA (NetworCare GmbH)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPrivate label brand of NetworCare GmbH, representing a consortium of eight independent German Sanitätshäuser. Kowsky offers SANIDA branded bandages and supports the brand as a Handelsmarke (house brand) covering mobility, therapy, and care products in the mid-to-premium segment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Streifeneder: German orthotics manufacturer with retail fitting services, focused on orthopedic technology, prosthetics, and compression. Comparable to Kowsky's Orthopädie workshop capability and prescription-based orthotic supply model.
• Sporlastic: German manufacturer of orthoses, bandages, and medical aids serving Sanitätshäuser, clinics, and medical retailers. Comparable to Kowsky as a Germany-based orthotic/bracing supplier with prescription-channel focus.
• Reha Team: National German Sanitätshaus and rehab technology chain with 60+ locations. Comparable to Kowsky across its full four-pillar portfolio (Sanitätshaus, Orthopädie, Reha, Homecare), targeting the same mobility-impaired and chronically ill patient populations via health insurer billing.
• Sanitätshaus Aktuell: Germany's largest Sanitätshaus cooperative network with 100+ independent member locations. Directly comparable to Kowsky as a multi-branch German medical supply retailer serving the same prescribed-aid (Hilfsmittel) customer base with overlapping orthotics, rehab, and homecare categories.

Broad incumbents

• Ottobock: Global market leader in prosthetics and orthotics headquartered in Germany. Comparable to Kowsky's Orthopädie pillar in custom prosthetics/orthoses manufacturing and clinical fitting, though operating at vastly greater scale with a much broader geographic and product footprint.
• medi (medi GmbH & Co. KG): German compression therapy and orthopedics manufacturer already supplying Kowsky (mediven angio line). Comparable as a product category peer in medical compression and orthoses, with growing direct retail/clinical-service channels that increasingly overlap with Sanitätshäuser.
• Bauerfeind: German manufacturer of medical compression stockings, orthoses, insoles, and supports with an integrated retail/fitting footprint. Comparable to Kowsky in compression therapy (similar to the medi/Juzo lines it offers) and orthotic product categories, while also competing as a supplier partner.
• Juzo: German compression therapy specialist (lymphedema, lipedema, phlebology) already partnered with Kowsky for events and product supply. Directly comparable in compression therapy product category and clinical-event-led go-to-market.

Emerging players

• DocMorris: Major European online pharmacy and medical supply retailer. Adjacent competitor for the portion of Kowsky's business that can be served digitally (compression stockings, incontinence supplies, basic mobility aids) without an in-person fitting requirement.
• Samedo (Sanitätshaus Online Platform): Digital prescription submission and Sanitätshaus e-commerce platform already integrated with Kowsky. Comparable as a digital-first channel for the same prescribed-medical-aid customer base; a partner today but potentially a competitive channel if Kowsky's reliance on Samedo deepens without proprietary alternatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwxhehFXErvHDkMHVG1yuSg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Sanitaetshauskowsky
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/sanitaetshaus-kowsky-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/kowsky_sanitaetshaus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sanitätshaus Kowsky