IFA Kick-off with MEDIMAX Entrepreneurs’ Conference and Press Briefing
On Thursday, 4 September, MEDIMAX franchise partners gathered for their entrepreneurs’ conference to exchange views on current developments within the brand. On Friday morning, the group officially launched its IFA presence with the traditional press briefing. Friedrich Sobol and fellow board member Matthias Assmann presented business figures, discussed pioneering future projects, and engaged with attendees on current industry challenges.
EP: and MEDIMAX Respond to a Challenging Market
The German cooperative continues to show stable growth: The EP:brand recorded a 4% increase in turnover in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, while SP:retailers saw growth of 11%. Since 1 January, 22 new entrepreneurs have joined the cooperative – nine of whom took over existing member businesses, either through internal succession or new external ownership. The remaining 13 joined from other cooperatives or were previously unaffiliated.
“At MEDIMAX, current market developments are clearly reflected: large-format retail remains a challenge across the industry. Nevertheless, MEDIMAX has delivered a stable performance in terms of earnings,” explained Friedrich Sobol. So far in 2025, 13 of 14 planned refurbishments have been successfully completed – including 12 reopenings, two new openings, and five stores with integrated kitchen departments in cooperation with MHK. A further reopening in Berlin-Pankow is scheduled for October, followed by a new store opening under the ProMarkt brand in November.
ElectronicFamily & Young Partner Masterclass – Shaping the Future Together
Despite all challenges, Friedrich Sobol remains confident: “A difficult year can be mastered with sales excellence and motivated teams.” That’s why the “ElectronicFamily” employer branding campaign was launched last year. Under a strong employer brand, ElectronicPartner, EP:, and MEDIMAX jointly position themselves in the job market – boldly, authentically, and across platforms.
Another milestone in talent development is the Young Partner Masterclass. Due to high demand, two classes will start in parallel this autumn. The two-year programme is aimed at potential future entrepreneurs within the group and covers eight in-person modules, including leadership, business management, digitalisation, and location analysis. Sessions will be held at the Düsseldorf headquarters and at selected industry partners such as Miele, hama, and De’Longhi.
WENDEpunkt: Sustainable Energy Solutions on a Growth Trajectory
WENDEpunkt – the brand for sustainable energy solutions – continues to grow and is now active not only in Germany but also in Austria and Switzerland. Since its launch in 2024, 122 member businesses have already been offering services related to photovoltaics, energy storage, heat pumps, and energy management. Zarske in Wustermark was recently welcomed as the first WENDEpunkt brand retailer. New suppliers such as eon, IBC Solar, Sunbooster, and Bosch Power Tools have also joined the initiative.
Building a Repair Network
In parallel, ElectronicPartner is working on establishing a repair network, currently in the crucial planning phase. The goal is to create a nationwide network of drop-off points and repair partners that offers consumers short distances and reliable service. To attract as many retailers as possible, ElectronicPartner is collaborating with the Telering cooperative and electroplus retailers from EK Retail.
comTeam Continues to Grow – Focus on IT and Security
In the system house environment, comTeam is making a strong statement: The current financial year is already 15% ahead of the previous year – a pleasing growth in a highly competitive market. Through its recent merger with the IT security network kiwiko, comTeam has significantly expanded its range of expertise.
“We are operating in a complex market environment shaped by change,” summarised Friedrich Sobol. “But we are convinced: Those who invest in their partners, support young talent, and act with a clear strategy – effectively and efficiently – can remain successful even in challenging times.”
