What Ludwig Bertram does

Ludwig Bertram GmbH is a privately held German medical aids and health products distributor founded in 1874 and headquartered in Isernhagen near Hanover. The group operates four wholly owned business divisions: RUSSKA, a sales specialist distributing medical aids and health products (mobility, rehabilitation, nursing care, orthopaedics) under its own brand and exclusive partner brands to the German-speaking medical specialty trade; MEDVET, a mail-order supplier of veterinary practice equipment to veterinarians, breeders, and universities; Bertram Vital, a specialist retail outlet for rehabilitation technology and care supplies in the Greater Hannover region serving end consumers and care facilities; and Sanivita, a partner concept bundling catalogues, online shop infrastructure, and sales support for local medical specialty stores. Recent strategic additions include the MovingStar brand (folding electric wheelchairs and scooters, acquired July 2023) and the worldwide exclusive distribution of Hallufix orthopaedic splints (effective January 2025). Exclusive distribution partnerships cover OMRON blood pressure monitors and inhalers, ROLYAN orthopaedic splinting materials, Hallufix, and MovingStar.

The company's technology base centres on a dynamic warehouse management system (chaotische/dynamische Lagerhaltung) that unifies logistics across all business divisions, a second warehouse hall added in 2021 in Isernhagen to centralise fulfilment, and integrated B2B/B2C e-commerce infrastructure (russka.de, sanivita.de, medvet.de). The management system is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 13485:2016, with RUSSKA products CE-marked as medical devices since 1998.

Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale distribution of medical aids, rehabilitation equipment, and veterinary supplies (hardware sales) to medical specialty retailers, with supplementary direct retail (Bertram Vital) and e-commerce channels. GTM motion is field-sales-led across dedicated brand-aligned units, supplemented by regular trade show presence (REHACARE, EXPOLIFE, ALTENPFLEGE, OTWorld, REHAB, integra, IRMA) and the Sanivita partner network. The company is owned and managed by four managing directors/shareholders (Dirk Moch, Andreas Schaper, Birger Tegtmeier, Thomas Ritter) and operates without external private equity or venture capital backing.

Name

Ludwig Bertram

Legal name

Ludwig Bertram GmbH

Website

https://bertram.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ludwig Bertram GmbH is a 150-year-old privately held German medical aids and health products distributor operating four divisions (RUSSKA, MEDVET, Bertram Vital, Sanivita) and serving medical specialty retailers, veterinarians, and end consumers across the DACH region via wholesale, specialist retail, and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Supply Distribution

NAICS

Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423450), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Medical/Surgical Supply Wholesalers (HLAMAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surgical & Procedural Instruments (Scalpels, Forceps, Retractors) (HLAMAFAA), Veterinary Distributor Value-Added Services (3PL, Cold Chain, Returns) (HLAMAIAG)

Keywords

• Medical supply distribution
• Rehabilitation equipment wholesale
• Veterinary medical supplies
• Mobility aids distribution
• Orthopaedic products trade

Headquarters

HQ city

Isernhagen-süd

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution of Medical Supplies: Distribution of medical aids, rehabilitation equipment, healthcare articles and veterinary supplies to medical specialty trade, resellers and specialists. The company operates multiple proprietary brands (RUSSKA, MEDVET) alongside branded partner products.
2. Specialist Retail (Bertram Vital): Direct sales of rehabilitation technology and care supplies to end consumers and care facilities based on medical prescriptions or over-the-counter purchases.
3. E-commerce and Partner Support: Online shops (russka.de, sanivita.de, medvet.de) supporting medical specialty retailers and enabling direct sales to end consumers through the Sanivita Partner concept.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ludwig Bertram GmbH distributes a comprehensive portfolio of medical aids, rehabilitation equipment, orthopaedic products, mobility aids, healthcare devices, and veterinary supplies. The company operates four business units: RUSSKA (B2B wholesale to medical specialty trade), Bertram Vital (specialist retail for rehabilitation technology and care supplies), MEDVET (mail-order for veterinary practice supplies), and Sanivita (a partner concept supporting local medical retailers with consumer catalogues and online shops). The company holds exclusive distribution rights for brands such as OMRON, ROLYAN, Hallufix, and MovingStar.

Product overview

Ludwig Bertram GmbH is a diversified healthcare wholesale and service company operating four main business divisions: Bertram Vital (rehabilitation technology and care supplies retail), MEDVET (veterinary medical supplies mail order), RUSSKA (health products sales specialist with own brand), and Sanivita (partner concept for medical specialty trade). The company distributes a comprehensive portfolio of medical aids including mobility products (rollators, electric wheelchairs, scooters), rehabilitation equipment, care supplies, orthopedic products (Hallufix), healthcare devices (OMRON blood pressure monitors, inhalers), and intelligent assistance systems. Key brands include the acquired MovingStar mobility brand (2023) and exclusive distribution agreements for Hallufix orthopedic splints (2025) and OMRON Healthcare products. The Sanivita online shop and partner concept connect local medical specialty stores with end consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RUSSKA Medical Aids Distribution Sales specialist and proprietary brand offering a comprehensive range of medical aids and health products across care, rehabilitation, fitness, and orthopaedics categories, distributed to the medical trade, retailers, and specialists.
• Bertram Vital Specialist Retail Specialist retailer for rehabilitation technology and care supplies in the Greater Hannover area, serving customers with medical prescriptions and over-the-counter health products.
• MEDVET Veterinary Medical Supplies Mail-order and wholesale business for veterinary practice supplies, serving veterinarians, breeders, institutes, and veterinary medicine students with instruments, protective clothing, and breeding supplies.
• Sanivita Partner Concept Partner concept for local medical specialty trade combining end-consumer catalogues and online shops with the consultation and sales strengths of local Sanitätshäuser for freely available health products.
• MovingStar Electric Wheelchairs and Scooters Brand of folding electric wheelchairs and scooters for mobility assistance, distributed exclusively through the German medical specialty trade.
• Hallufix Orthopaedic Splints Distribution Exclusive distribution of Hallufix orthopaedic splints and foot bandages for hallux valgus therapy, including the Hallux valgus Schiene Slim-Comfort 2.0 and sandals (GinkGo, TenGo, LowGo).
• OMRON Healthcare Products Distribution Exclusive distribution of OMRON blood pressure monitors (M500 Intelli IT, X7 Smart, RS4) and inhalers (MicroAIR U100, EVOLV) for home healthcare in the German medical specialty trade.
• ROLYAN Orthopaedic Splinting Products Exclusive distribution in Germany of ROLYAN splint construction products using low-temperature thermoplastics for orthopaedic applications, with workshops and training for specialist dealers.
• MovingStar Scooter Product Line Electric mobility scooters (SC 100, SC 150, SC 200, SC 300) providing flexible indoor and outdoor mobility solutions.
• RUSSKA Rollator vital Series Premium rollator series including vital classic, vital plus, and vital carbon models, recognised for safety, lightness, and quality through independent testing.
• Intelligent Assistance Systems (IAS) Connected assistance systems including wireless sensor mats (Step-Control), networked communication, and components for supplementing existing nurse call systems, providing safety for residents and staff in care facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• RUSSKA Rollator vital carbon - Test winner at Stiftung Warentest with grade 2.0 (2019, following previous 2014 success with vital classic)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hallufix AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 December 2024Worldwide exclusive distribution of Hallufix orthopaedic splints for hallux valgus treatment. The partnership began January 1, 2025. Hallufix products are manufactured in Germany since 2007. RUSSKA assumes distribution from Hallufix AG while shoe range remains with Hallufix AG.
• MovingStarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 June 2023Acquisition of MovingStar brand for electric wheelchairs and scooters from July 1, 2023. RUSSKA now exclusively distributes MovingStar products and plans to expand the mobility portfolio with additional innovative mobility aids.
• Mangar HealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 March 2018Co-exhibition partnership at trade shows (e.g., ALTENPFLEGE 2018). Mangar Health manufactures battery-powered bathing lifts and lifting cushions for care settings.
• OMRON Medizintechnik Handelsgesellschaft mbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2018Exclusive distribution partnership for OMRON medical products in German medical specialty trade. OMRON is global market and technology leader in blood pressure monitors and inhalation devices with 80 years experience. Partnership covers complete OMRON Healthcare product range including EVOLV blood pressure monitor with wireless app connectivity.
• Performance Health (formerly Patterson Medical)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2017Exclusive German distribution partner for ROLYAN brand products since April 2017. ROLYAN offers orthopaedic splinting materials using low-temperature thermoplastics. Partnership includes workshops and training for specialist dealers.
• Leibniz Fachhochschule HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership for dual study programs. Students complete Business Administration dual studies combining apprenticeship and university degree at Leibniz FH on former Expo site.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mediq: Mediq is a European medical device and home healthcare distributor supplying hospitals, care facilities, and home-care patients. Comparable as a larger, broad-based European medical distributor serving the same end customers (Sanitätshäuser, care facilities, end consumers) as Ludwig Bertram's RUSSKA and Bertram Vital businesses.
• Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health is a global medical distribution and products company. Comparable in core business model as a medical supply wholesaler serving healthcare providers, though at a vastly larger scale and with global reach versus Ludwig Bertram's regional DACH focus.
• B. Braun Melsungen AG: B. Braun is a major German medical device and pharmaceutical company with a portfolio that includes hospital supplies, surgical instruments, and care products. While much larger and broader, it overlaps with Ludwig Bertram's human-medical distribution categories (surgical instruments, hospital supplies, rehabilitation).
• Henry Schein, Inc. Henry Schein is a global distributor of medical and dental supplies, including practice equipment and consumables. Comparable wholesale-distribution model across healthcare practitioner segments, though Henry Schein operates globally and across dental/animal health verticals where Ludwig Bertram is regionally concentrated.
• Paul Hartmann AG: Hartmann is a major German medical and hygiene products company that distributes wound care, surgical supplies, and care products across the DACH region. Comparable as a broad-incumbent German medical products company with significant DACH distribution infrastructure, though serving larger institutional and retail channels.

Direct peers

• WDT Wirtschaftsgenossenschaft Deutscher Tierärzte eG: WDT is a German veterinary cooperative focused on pharmaceutical and supply distribution to veterinary practices. Comparable to MEDVET as the dominant German veterinary practice supplier, with overlapping product range (instruments, consumables, pharmaceuticals) and veterinary practice customer base.
• Dr. Ausbüttel & Co. GmbH: Dr. Ausbüttel is a German medical aids manufacturer-distributor specialising in compression therapy, wound care, and orthopaedic products. Comparable to RUSSKA in distribution focus on German medical specialty trade and similar product categories (orthopaedics, rehabilitation). Operates a direct specialty-retail channel alongside wholesale.
• Servoprax GmbH: Servoprax is a German medical device and supply wholesaler serving medical practices, hospitals, and care facilities. It directly parallels Ludwig Bertram's RUSSKA wholesale function in the German medical specialty trade, with a comparable focus on equipment and consumables distribution.
• novo med GmbH: novo med is a German veterinary medical supply wholesaler and importer of veterinary instruments and consumables. It directly mirrors the MEDVET business unit of Ludwig Bertram in terms of veterinary product range, customer base (practitioners, clinics, breeders), and B2B distribution model.

Regional players

• Albert Berchtold GmbH: Berchtold is a Swiss medical supply and equipment distributor serving hospitals and medical practices in Switzerland. Comparable in medical product range and B2B distribution model to RUSSKA, but operates primarily in the Swiss market while Ludwig Bertram is concentrated in Germany/Austria.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ludwig-bertram-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Ludwig Bertram