Overview
- Ravensburger announced on June 17, 2026 that it has acquired a majority stake in the 140-year-old plush maker Steiff in a deal sold by the Steiff Beteiligungsgesellschaft controlled by the founder’s heirs.
- Both companies say Steiff will continue to be run independently from its headquarters in Giengen an der Brenz and that the Steiff family will remain materially involved in the business.
- Key deal terms remain confidential and the transaction is subject to cartel and antitrust approval, although one outlet reported a 60 percent to 40 percent split in Ravensburger’s favor based on a single source.
- The move comes as both firms face financial pressure: Ravensburger’s revenue fell from €790 million in 2024 to €742 million in 2025 and Steiff reported lower sales and a small loss in 2023, which executives cite as part of the rationale for combining resources.
- The companies say they expect to pursue international expansion, marketing and product synergies while preserving Steiff’s premium positioning, and observers say the next signs to watch are regulatory clearance, disclosed purchase price and concrete integration plans that could affect jobs and production choices.