Migros Freizeit Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the cooperative Migros Zurich and since 2012 operator of the premium fitness facilities “ELEMENTS Fitness und Wellness” and since 2016 owner of INLINE Consulting with its INJOY Franchisekonzept, will take over the marketing and management consultancy Greinwalder & Partner, Munich, also a leading company in the German fitness and health market, with retroactive effect from 1 January 2019.

As part of the takeover, the companies will be merged retroactively as of 1 January 2019 to form a company called ACISO.

Greinwalder & Partner, known as a major marketing and business consultancy for fitness, health and boutique clubs, founded in 1997 and since 2015 under the management of Oliver Sekula and Thomas Nemmaier, see their success in attractive and innovative service packages, tailored marketing success packages and modular solutions.

The merger of the companies INLINE and MIGROS Freizeit Deutschland GmbH and the 100% takeover of Greinwalder & Partner – which will premiere at FIBO under the new name ACISO in April – means a high degree of synergy, clear bundling of competencies and strong innovative strength within the German fitness industry.

The new management consultancy ACISO brings the consultants and sales staff of both former companies together to form a powerful nationwide team. The consumer brands that have been successfully established on the German market for many years, such as the premium studios ELEMENTS, the franchise system INJOY and the FT-CLUBS as well as of existing business formats such as INJOY Xpress will be continued. The academy services will continue to be offered and expanded in the future.

The new company ACISO consists of three business units: A management consultancy (ACISO Fitness & Health Consulting), various franchise systems and own studio operations.

The joint growth strategy, the broad service portfolio and the convincing added value for existing and future customers in the B2B and B2C segments will be substantiated in the coming weeks.

MIGROS Freizeit Deutschland GmbH unites the headquarters of INLINE, Greinwalder & Partner and ELEMENTS from the middle of the year on a common location in Munich. The INLINE headquarters at the former Dorsten location will be closed. Oliver Sekula is the new CEO of the new company ACISO. Thomas Nemmaier, as his deputy, will focus on merging the companies and advancing the areas of consulting and creation.

Sandra Geiselhardt and Ralf Kriegel continue to be responsible for the ELEMENTS studios and assume additional responsibilities in leading positions. Stephan Pfitzenmeier, CEO of INLINE consulting over the past 14 months, initiated the takeover of Greinwalder and Partners and leaves the company at his own request after the handover. If required, he will continue to provide advice to the company.

Migros Freizeit Deutschland GmbH thanks for its commitment in the further development of the company INLINE and the franchise system INJOY.

“We are pleased to be able to make a quality contribution to the German fitness market and thus to the people in their increasingly observable, increasing fitness and health awareness. By combining these two years of successful consulting companies in a new powerful constellation, another milestone has been set for our endeavor. Now it is time to further expand the entrepreneurial and customer benefits,” says René Kalt, Managing Director of Migros Freizeit Deutschland GmbH.

Representing the sellers and shareholders, Oliver Sekula, Managing Director of Greinwalder & Partner, said: “The sale to Migros Freizeit Deutschland GmbH and the merger with the INLINE Group enable the new company to support their customers in achieving sustainable success faster and more effective with unique power, innovative concepts and digital trends. We look forward to accepting this exciting challenge.”

The takeover of Greinwalder & Partner is subject to antitrust approval by the competition authorities. Silence has been agreed on the purchase price.