BLACKROLL® Begins a New Chapter
BLACKROLL Embarks on a New Chapter: Management Buyout and New CEO Drive Strategic Vision Forward
As a leading provider of innovative health and recovery products, we are pleased to announce—following a very successful year—another milestone in BLACKROLL®’s corporate history: As part of a management buyout (MBO), BLACKROLL® is joining forces with private equity investor KKA Partners. At the same time, Scott Zalaznik, an internationally experienced expert in growth, transformation, and digitalization, is taking on the role of CEO. Alongside Scott, the executive team will consist of founder Marius Keckeisen and current executive board members Thomas Viegener and Andreas Mauch. For us, this development marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that is intended to accelerate our strategic vision and take BLACKROLL® to the next level.
Scott Zalaznik and Marius Keckeisen (from left) are leading BLACKROLL® into the future
KKA Partners: A Special Partner for a Special Vision
With a focus on sustainable partnerships and targeted strategic support, as well as a passion for innovative companies, KKA Partners maintains an exclusive portfolio of investments—of which we are now a part.
“In KKA Partners, we’ve found a partner that not only believes in our strategy and corporate culture but also shares our enthusiasm for our vision: helping people live healthier, more active, and more productive lives,”
, says Marius Keckeisen, founder of BLACKROLL AG. “Their expertise, network, and support will enable us to continue driving our growth in a focused manner and set new standards.”
New CEO Brings Strategic Momentum
As part of the MBO process, we were able to secure another major win: Scott Zalaznik, former Chief Digital Officer at adidas and a proven expert in omnichannel growth and digital transformation, was introduced to BLACKROLL® by KKA Partners and quickly became enthusiastic about our brand, products, purpose, and corporate culture. “Scott Zalaznik not only brings in-depth expertise but also shares our clear vision for the future of BLACKROLL®. He is the ideal person to drive our digital initiative and data-driven strategy forward,” explains Marius Keckeisen.
Scott Zalaznik, the new BLACKROLL® CEO, comments: “I’m very much looking forward to becoming part of the BLACKROLL® family. This fulfills my personal dream of returning to entrepreneurship.
BLACKROLL® has established itself as an innovator in the health and sports industry, and I am impressed by the premium brand, the excellent brand and retail partners, the outstanding products, and, last but not least, by Marius and the team with their passion, culture, and innovative spirit. Together, we will continue to write this success story.”
A Strong Foundation for Future Growth
The management buyout (MBO) and CEO transition not only signal the beginning of a new chapter but also underscore the strength and stability of our brand.
The long-standing leadership team will work closely with the new investors, Scott Zalaznik and former CEO Marius Keckeisen—who will now serve as a new member of the Executive Board in the roles of Chief Innovation Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors—to help achieve our ambitious goals. In addition to further expansion into international markets, the focus is on product innovations in the areas of active and passive recovery, new digital offerings, and strengthening the ecosystem comprising the community, customers, brand ambassadors, and the brand itself.
About BLACKROLL®
BLACKROLL®, founded in 2007 by Jürgen Dürr, has established itself worldwide as the market leader for innovative recovery and movement products. In 2013, BLACKROLL AG was founded by Jürgen Dürr and Marius Keckeisen as CEO to drive the company’s growth and international expansion.
Through quality, innovation, and a clear purpose, BLACKROLL® has made a name for itself as a leading “recovery brand” and established “BLACKROLL” as a generic term. With a comprehensive range of tools and concepts for fitness, recovery, and sleep, the products promote well-being, recovery, and performance for people in over 57 countries.
Close collaboration with experts in sports science, physical therapy, and medicine guarantees the highest quality and effectiveness. In addition, thousands of trained instructors worldwide possess the expertise to teach the effective use of the products. Sustainability and social responsibility define our values, which are reflected in environmentally friendly production and fair treatment of partners and customers.
BLACKROLL® brings a new dimension to movement, recovery, and sleep.
About KKA
KKA Partners was founded in 2018 and is a Berlin-based investment firm specializing in mid-market companies, investing in leading mid-market companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The founding partners have deep-rooted personal and professional ties to the SME sector, which they have developed over the course of 20 years through close collaboration with medium-sized companies.
KKA helps growth-oriented companies realize their full potential by combining operational excellence with its proprietary, technology-driven value-creation strategies. Leading investors worldwide, including the European Investment Fund (“EIF”), entrust their capital to the KKA team. This transaction also receives support from the European Union through the InvestEU Fund.
We look forward to our shared future with KKA and Scott as part of the BLACKROLL® family!