B.PRO uses cookies for better service and an improved website experience. You can object to the use of cookies here or change your browser settings. If you continue, we shall assume that you consent to the use of cookies.

OK
X
 

19.10.2020

A Powerful Restart for a Successful Future

Blanco Professional Group with New CEO

Egon Kofler has been appointed as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Blanco Professional Group as of 1 October 2020. He was previously Managing Director of E.G.O. Austria Elektrogeräte and CEO of the Italian Defendi Group. Like Blanco Professional, both companies belong to the Blanc & Fischer Family Holding. Business administration graduate Kofler manages the Blanco Professional Group together with Michael Huber, Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

 

Dr Johannes Haupt, CEO of the Blanc & Fischer Family Holding, affirms: “Egon Kofler has already shown at different E.G.O. subsidiaries that he is capable of steering companies out of difficult situations and back on course for success. Having held positions in our group of companies in the past, he is very familiar with the group and also has close family ties with Oberderdingen. Consequently, we believe that he meets all requirements to make Blanco Professional successful again.” Kofler is looking forward to his new task: “I immediately accepted when the invitation came. Together with Blanco Professional’s dynamic team, I’d like to develop the company further in terms of structure on a lasting basis and create a solid foundation for a successful future.” He will be supported in this task by Bernd Rupprecht who will assume the post of Director/Head of Sales Catering at Blanco Professional on 1 November 2020 and will be responsible for overall sales in the Catering Business Unit.

 

The new CEO’s paramount task will be to implement the collective restructuring agreement concluded in early October, which has been in force since 8 October and will run until 31 December 2023. The company’s Management Board negotiated the agreement with the Works Council and IG Metall trade union with involvement from the Südwestmetall employers’ association. Up to 100 jobs will be cut at the Oberderdingen site as a consequence. Socially responsible solutions will be sought during this process. This measure has become indispensable due to the fragile financial situation in which the Blanco Professional Group finds itself. In the fiscal year 2019, 698 employees generated sales of 121 million euros, only half a percent more than in the previous year. Unfortunately, the coronavirus epidemic, which has been spreading since March, has made such a restructuring agreement essential.

 

As successor to Roland Spleiss, who left the company in the first quarter of 2020 after many years as CEO, Egon Kofler sees the agreement as a far-reaching yet necessary basis for boosting viable future prospects for the company: “We find ourselves in a difficult situation in an extremely challenging year. However, this situation also opens up opportunities. No matter how tough the cuts are, we remain convinced that we are paving the way for enduring success in the mid-term. We can and will achieve this together.”

 

The main objective is to create a competitive organisation by reducing structural and human resources costs among other things. Sales also is to be restructured. The product portfolio, business fields and target groups will be focused on and the Catering and Industrial Business Units are to operate largely independently in future.

 

“We are making major cuts now so that we can return to normality in an assured future as quickly as possible,” affirms Kofler, qualifying the current measures and stressing that no further job cuts are planned. The new Management Board also continues to stick by the Oberderdingen site.

Back

Ansprechpartner

B.PRO GmbH
Flehinger Str. 59
75038 Oberderdingen

Markus Brieskorn
Telefon +49 7045 44-81754
Telefax +49 7045 44-81245
E-Mail: markus.brieskorn@bpro-solutions.com