Germany’s Merck KGaA is considering shifting its chemicals, healthcare and biotech supplies operations into separate subsidiaries next year to better manage its diversified businesses.

Such moves are often seen as a prelude to possible changes in ownership, including separate stock market listings, but a company spokesman denied this is the intention.

The group, which has an heritage that goes back to 17th-century, is still 70 percent owned by the holding company of its founder’s descendants and has pursued a diversified business model to reduce the risk of the family being heavily invested in one area.

Source: Reuters