Bio Development AG was established in 2009 with the aim of strengthening the independent organic food sector and providing organic companies with a sound capital base.
Our credo
We are founded on the following values:
Promotion of an associative economy where all players within the value creation chain can make a livelihood from their activities.
Biodynamic agriculture as a guiding principle, where other ideas are also incorporated.
Strengthening the role of farmers as key players in the value creation chain during the cultivation of a foundation of life for people, animals and plants.
Content instead of size – subsidiary and federalist presence on site rather than corporate structures.
Long-term responsible entrepreneurship.
Promotion of entrepreneurial collaboration through the development of networks (network economy).
Profits as a result of good entrepreneurship to ensure its own further development and appeal for investors.
Mission
Bio Development AG supports projects for strengthening the agricultural production of organic and biodynamic foods in Germany, Switzerland and Italy by increasing the demand and systematically strengthening trade in Germany, Italy and Switzerland as well as other European countries and networking the various players.
Board of Directors
Dr. Marco Arduini,
Chairman
Born 1966. Studied business administration at the University of Milan. Between 1988 and 1999 he was an export manager in Hong Kong for Egon Zehnder International and a marketing director for Unilever in Milan and London.
Since 1993 he has been active in the metals industry with Italy’s Euro Group and is now CEO of the international concern which has revenues of around EUR 180 m.
Peter Tschannen
Born 1955, married, four daughters, four grandchildren.
Primary school and special educational needs teacher. Later trained in textiles retail in St. Gallen and in coaching/communication (Schulz von Thun) in Hamburg.
Spent 11 years working as a primary school and special educational needs teacher. Spent 21 years at Remei AG (textiles retailer) as a member of the Board of Directors, member of the Executive Board and co-owner.
Spent 1.5 years as ad interim managing director at an SME, nearly 7 years as managing director and member of the school administration at Atelierschule Zürich, currently president of the school’s sponsoring organisation. Coaching management staff.
Member of the Board of Trustees and the Investment Committee of the CoOpera PUK pension fund.
Management
Daniel von Meißner,
Managing Director
Born 1977, married, one son. After studying industrial engineering, he worked for 10 years in management consultancy, including 4 years in Italy (Milan). Back in Germany, he changed to Alnatura (Darmstadt) and worked there for 7 years, including 4 years as Managing Director of the subsidiary Alnavit. Since 2019 at Bio Development, initially as project manager, then since 2022 as Managing Director of the newly founded Biodina SA, an organic raw materials specialist based in Switzerland. Since October 2023 also Managing Director of Bio Development AG.
Shareholders
Bio Development AG has an international shareholder base that commands sound industry knowledge and has close links to the sector. The core shareholders are:
BioBerenice S.r.L
Via dell 'Annunciata 31
20121 Milano
Italy
Concolor AG
Rheingasse 31
4058 Basel
Switzerland
CoOpera Sammelstiftung PUK
Galgenfeldweg 16
3006 Bern
Switzerland
Capital structure
The share capital was initially divided into 69,000 registered shares at a nominal price of CHF 100 each, with a total value of CHF 6,900,000.
As of September 2020 the share capital totalled CHF 72,290,000.
Each share has one vote in the general meeting. The dividend entitlement is calculated proportionally by nominal value.
There are no participation or bonus certificates.
History
In 2009, a group of organic pioneers and enthusiasts founded Bio Development AG with the goal of strengthening the independent organic food sector.
Bio Development AG, based in Switzerland, covers the entrepreneurial and investment side of the project.