Fressnapf-Gründer: Torsten Toeller holte einen Finanzinvestor in sein Unternehmen – das hat der Milliardär daraus gelernt
Mit Investor Cinven hat sich Fressnapf radikal fokussiert. Im Interview verrät der Familienunternehmer, was auf der Strecke blieb, ob er es wieder tun würde – und was er nun noch vorhat.
Torsten Toeller, Fressnapf's founder, brought in a financial investor, Cinven, which taught him valuable lessons. He revealed that the company has reduced around 200 to 250 positions out of over 20,000 employees in 15 countries. This was not a cost-cutting measure but rather a strategic shift towards a more decentralized structure focusing on the client's location.
This partnership aims to help Fressnapf achieve a clear value-adding plan. The company's growth is attributed to its prominent status in the European market, and they aim to maintain and expand this position. Toeller believes that having investors like Cinven can help improve governance and professionalize the structure. He acknowledges that letting go of his "baby" was challenging but necessary for the company's independence.
Toeller has transformed his role multiple times, from a start-up entrepreneur to a CEO and now a professional investor. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong company culture and accepting that others can perform tasks better than himself. Fressnapf's strategy is to build an ecosystem around pet care, but they must ensure their core business operates efficiently and professionally first.
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