E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany

The general partner E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany, holds about 70% of the total capital of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; shareholders hold the remainder, which is divided into shares. 

E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany, does not participate in the management of the company, it makes the fundamental entrepreneurial decisions of the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Group. The Merck family currently holds 99.9% of the capital of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany; the remaining interests are held by the members of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Partners’ Meeting
The Partners’ Meeting is a gathering of all partners of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany, and comparable to the Annual General Meeting of a German stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft). It receives the reports of the other corporate bodies, elects the members of the Family Board, decides on changes to the participation relationships in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, on capital increases and contract amendments. It takes place at least once a year.

Family Board
The Family Board defines the strategic direction of all companies of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and represents the entrepreneurial interests of the Merck family of owners. Its members are elected by the Partners’ Meeting and they are members of the Merck family.

Board of Partners
The Board of Partners is elected by the Family Board and corresponds to the Supervisory Board of a German stock corporation. It decides upon the appointment and dismissal of Executive Board members of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The board supervises the management of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, grants approval of extraordinary business transactions, especially major investments, and approves the annual financial statements of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany. Apart from five members of the Family Board, four external members of the business community belong to the Board of Partners.

Executive Board
The Executive Board is the management body and the face of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany. It conducts the businesses of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany, represents the company externally and coordinates the work of the corporate bodies of E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany. Furthermore, it implements the resolutions passed by the Partners’ Meeting and the Family Board, and fulfills their duties to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The Executive Board consists of the chairmen of the Family Board and the Board of Partners, the Chairman of the Executive Board and the Chief Financial Officer of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, as well as elected members.