SALUS Pharma GmbH

What SALUS Pharma GmbH does

Salus (legal name: Salus Haus Dr. med. Otto Greither Nachf. GmbH & Co. KG) is a fourth-generation, family-owned German natural health and pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1916 in Munich and now headquartered in Bruckm\u00fchl, Bavaria. The group operates through Salus Pharma GmbH (pharmacy distribution), Schoenenberger (acquired 1991, plant juices and cosmetics), and Herbaria (spices, tea, and coffee), employing approximately 490 people and producing around 1,000 SKUs. The core product technology is a portfolio of herbal tonics, drops, tablets, capsules, and dragees built around the proprietary yeast-based iron formula (Floradix Kr\u00euterblut mit Eisen) and a 100-year tradition of in-house laboratory quality control codified by Prof. Dr. Heinz Schilcher's fingerprint chromatography system. The company processes 300 metric tons of herbs, fruits, and spices into teas annually at its Bruckm\u00fchl facility, which is climate-neutral and powered by its own hydroelectric generation.

Revenue is generated through one-time sales of branded consumer health products across multiple channels: traditional Reformhaus specialty stores (a 100-year partnership), pharmacies via Salus Pharma GmbH, mass-market drugstores (Drogerien), and international export. Nearly 50% of production is exported to over 65 countries through six wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries in Chile, China, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, plus third-party distributors serving markets such as New Zealand (Red Seal Laboratories for Floradix). The customer base is fragmented health-conscious consumers and the specialty retail trade, with brand awareness built through content marketing (salus.de, international site), social media, Fachkreise professional healthcare outreach, and association memberships in organic food and pharmaceutical industry bodies.

The Salus-Kur (1916 original) and the post-1962 Floradix acquisition are the foundational commercial assets; the 1991 Schoenenberger acquisition created the group's market-leader position in the German Reformhaus industry. Salus operates without external private equity or public-market capital, is led by Managing Director Dr. Florian Block (since 2015), and the founder's son Otto Greither remains Honorary Managing Director in his 90s. The company is privately held, profitable, and emphasizes sustainability, in-house quality control that exceeds regulatory requirements, and multi-generational stewardship of the brand.

Name

SALUS Pharma GmbH

Legal name

Salus Haus Dr. med. Otto Greither Nachf. GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://duopharm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SALUS is a fourth-generation, family-owned German natural health manufacturer founded in 1916, producing the flagship Floradix iron tonic plus teas, tonics, drops, and capsules. It serves health-conscious consumers through Reformhaus stores, pharmacies, drugstores, and export to 65+ countries via six foreign subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Health Products

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Herbal & Botanical Supplements (CRADAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multivitamins & Daily Packs (CRADAGAC), Vitamins & Minerals (Single Nutrients) (CRADAGAB)

Keywords

• Herbal medicine
• Natural health products
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Herbal teas
• Dietary supplements

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruckmühl

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Tonika (tonics), drops, tablets, capsules, and dragees sold through pharmacies via Salus Pharma GmbH
2. Tea Products: Medicinal and herbal teas sold through Reformhäuser, pharmacies, and exports. Products include Arznei- & Kräuter Tee, Bachblüten Tee, Basen-Aktiv Tee, and specialty teas from around the world
3. Nutrition Products: Food products including Aperino, vinegars, baking ingredients, muesli, cereals, soy products, superfoods, and fruit/vegetable juices
4. Hair & Skin Products: Health and beauty products including healthy skin, hair, hair color, and lip care products
5. Export Revenue: Nearly 50% of production is exported to over 65 countries worldwide. Six foreign subsidiaries in Chile, China, UK, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SALUS Pharma GmbH manufactures and sells approximately 1,000 natural health products, including tonics (notably the Floradix Kräuterblut mit Eisen iron tonic), drops, tablets, capsules, dragees, herbal and medicinal teas, nutritional products, and hair and skin care items. The portfolio is distributed through pharmacies, Reformhäuser (health food stores), drugstores, six international subsidiaries, and export channels reaching more than 65 countries.

Product overview

SALUS Pharma GmbH is a fourth-generation family-owned pharmaceutical and health products company (founded 1916) producing a diverse portfolio of natural remedies and health products. The company operates as part of the Salus Group alongside subsidiaries Schoenenberger (acquired 1991, medicinal plant juices) and Herbaria (acquired, spices/tea/coffee). The core product offering spans: (1) Health products including the flagship Floradix Kräuterblut mit Eisen iron tonic (top seller in 65+ countries), tonics, drops, tablets, capsules, and specialized formulations for base balance, musculoskeletal health, iron supplementation, cold/flu, heart/circulation, immune support, liver/gallbladder, digestive health, nerves/sleep, vitamins/minerals, weight management, kidney/bladder/prostate, and eye health; (2) An extensive tea program processing 300 tonnes annually including medicinal teas, Bach flower teas, gourmet teas, cold brew teas, and international specialties; (3) Nutritional products including Aperino, vinegars, muesli/cereals, superfoods, and fruit/vegetable juices; (4) Hair and skin care products. The company sells through pharmacies (via Salus Pharma GmbH), reform houses, drugstores, and exports to over 65 countries with subsidiaries in Chile, China, UK, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Floradix Kräuterblut mit Eisen (Floradix Iron Tonic) Flagship yeast-based iron tonic containing iron from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fruit juices, delivering 36.8 mg iron per daily dose with a 30% absorption rate; the company's top-selling product across 65+ countries.
• Tonika (Tonics)

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Schoenenberger (Acquisition)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Salus acquired its biggest competitor in the Reformwaren market in 1991. Schoenenberger's strength in plant juices complemented Salus's product range with minimal overlap. The acquisition made Salus Group the market leader in the Reformhaus industry.
• Assoziation ökologischer Lebensmittelhersteller e.V. (AöL)coreOthersAssociation of organic food manufacturers in German-speaking Europe. Promotes ecologically and socially oriented market economy for a more sustainable food system. Nearly 130 members developing organic food economy. Salus is a founding member for over 30 years.
• Pharma DeutschlandcoreOthersLargest industry association of pharmaceutical industry in Germany. Represents interests of about 400 member companies employing approximately 80,000 people. Contributes to securing pharmaceutical supply in Germany; provides nearly 80% of over-the-counter medicines sold in pharmacies.
• Deutscher Tee & Kräutertee Verband e.V.coreOthersAdvocates for interests of members, predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises with over 5,000 jobs in Germany alone. Promotes teas, herbal and fruit teas as healthy foods. Goals include informing consumers, protecting consumer interests, and advocating for regulations balancing consumer protection and economic aspects.
• Lebensmittelverband Deutschland e.V.minorOthersLead association of German food industry. Members include associations and companies along the entire food chain from field to plate. Bundles and represents interests of food economy stakeholders in food law and food science.
• Forschungsvereinigung der Arzneimittelhersteller e.V. (FAH)coreOthersScientific institution for joint research founded 1992 by predominantly small and medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturers. Organizes cross-company cooperation in research and development. Works on various pharmaceutical industry questions through working groups and develops solutions through suitable research projects.
• ÖKOPLANT e.V.minorOthersNon-profit association for organic medicinal and spice plant cultivation. Represents broad producer spectrum from small garden-oriented businesses to large-scale arable farms with contract cultivation. Goals include exchanging information and experiences, promoting cooperation between science and practice.
• B.A.U.M. e.V.minorOthersNetwork for sustainable business development founded 1984. With nearly 800 members, is a strong voice for sustainably operating companies and driving force for sustainable development in Europe. Supports members in developing sustainability strategies.
• Floradix Acquisition (from Wilhelm Blumenthal)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1962, Otto Greither acquired the Floradix Arzneimittel Fabrik in Wiesbaden from Wilhelm Blumenthal, which produced Floradix Kräuterblutsaft Eisentonikum among other products. This became Salus's top-selling product globally.
• Gesellschaft für Phytotherapie e.V. (GPT)minorOthersSociety for Phytotherapy; Salus is active in this organization for phytotherapy research and practice.
• Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbRminorOthersCooperation of phytopharmaceutical companies; Salus participates in this industry collaboration.
• Verein zur Förderung des Heil- und Gewürzpflanzenanbaus in Bayern e.V.minorOthersAssociation for promoting medicinal and spice plant cultivation in Bavaria; Salus is active in supporting regional herbal cultivation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH: German pharmaceutical company producing combination herbal/homeopathic medicines distributed through pharmacies globally. Comparable in German-heritage natural medicine manufacturing, multi-country regulatory footprint, and pharmacy-led channel strategy.
• WALA Heilmittel GmbH: Anthroposophic medicines manufacturer producing herbal and homeopathic remedies alongside natural cosmetics. Comparable in anthroposophic/herbal pharmaceutical manufacturing philosophy, German origin, and broad European pharmacy distribution.
• Bionorica SE: German phytopharmaceutical company focused on respiratory, urinary tract, and gynecological indications. Direct comparable in German herbal pharma manufacturing scale, pharmacy distribution model, and European/international market positioning.
• Klosterfrau Melisana GmbH: German traditional herbal medicine brand producing tinctures, balsams, and herbal pharmaceuticals sold through pharmacies. Comparable in German herbal pharma category, pharmacy channel reliance, and multi-generation brand heritage.
• Bioforce AG (A. Vogel): Swiss herbal medicine manufacturer founded by Alfred Vogel, producing plant juices (echinacea etc.) and herbal supplements sold through pharmacies and health food stores. Closely comparable in herbal supplement range, plant-juice expertise, and health food store channel presence.
• Hänseler AG: Swiss manufacturer of herbal pharmaceuticals, teas, and tinctures for pharmacy and professional channels. Comparable in botanical ingredient processing, herbal pharma manufacturing depth, and German-speaking European market footprint.
• Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG: German herbal medicine manufacturer with strong positions in ginkgo, mistletoe, and other standardized plant-based pharmaceuticals. Closely comparable in regulatory positioning, pharmacy distribution, and German-heritage herbal pharma scale.
• Weleda AG: Anthroposophic pharmaceutical and natural cosmetics company with German-Swiss origins, spanning herbal medicines and natural personal care. Comparable in natural product philosophy, herbal pharmaceutical manufacturing, and broad European/international distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Haleon plc: Global consumer healthcare company (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare) operating brands such as Centrum, Emergen-C, and Voltaren. Broad incumbent in vitamins, supplements, and OTC health, competing for the same end consumer through pharmacy and drugstore channels but with a portfolio rather than a botanical niche focus.
• Bayer AG (Consumer Health): Global diversified pharmaceutical company with a broad Consumer Health portfolio including vitamins and selected natural products. Indirect competitor via overlapping pharmacy shelf and significantly larger R&D and marketing scale; not specialized in Salus's reformhaus/botanical niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salus-pharma-gmbh

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 SALUS Pharma GmbH