Megatrends have long since arrived in the printing industry, marking changes and reshaping everyday working life. Elanders GmbH is also focussing intensively on the topics of the future. And is taking the next important step with the generational change in management: Sven Burkhard and Christopher Sommer took over the management team together on 1 January 2020. The previous Managing Director Peter Sommer will continue to be available to the company as a consultant.
From digitalisation to e-commerce: many business areas are increasingly shifting to the screen. Customers are increasingly digital, they want Customised shop systems. „We are now facing what is probably the biggest challenge - namely the question of what will be printed at all in the future,“ says Sven Burkhard.
Elanders GmbH, with its headquarters in Waiblingen near Stuttgart, has always Changes in the printing industry not only accepted, but constructively shaped. As a company at the forefront of the industry, the company not only wants to find the right answers, but also generate a whole range of additional customer benefits.
Visible successes achieved
The 34-year-old Burkhard not only brings experience from one of Europe's largest online print shops, Flyeralarm, but has also spent the last three years as Managing Director of the Schmid Druck + Medien GmbH and achieved visible success. In the originally owner-managed company in Kaisheim (Bavaria), he has already carried out a successful generational change and digital reorganisation.
At Elanders GmbH, he is responsible for the entire commercial area responsible. As part of his new duties, he has also assumed global responsibility as a member of the Management Board of Elanders Print & Packaging within the Elanders Group. The new Managing Director intends to Optimised internal structures and on a firm foundation of trust across all hierarchical levels. „I want to encourage people in the company to think and decide for themselves - in line with the company's philosophy, economic goals and future direction.“
Digital solutions and smart IT services
The 31-year-old Christopher Sommer also wants to set a strategically clever course in the new duo. As the new Managing Director, he is responsible for the Technology division and sees exciting topics for the coming years:
„We don't just want to invest in heavy iron and machinery, but also in digital solutions and smart IT services. I approach the new tasks with great respect - but without fear, as I have been with the company for a very long time and have responsibility here.“
Christopher Summer
For Christopher Sommer, the topic Internal communication very important - as a member of a younger generation, he wants to create a open management style The company must live its values, always seek the opinions of its employees before making important decisions and involve people even more as part of the company.
The new duo therefore not only stands for a new management culture in the company, but also shares various visions: Elanders GmbH wants to position itself more broadly in the future, serve additional sectors and focus on new markets. The company has set itself the goal of continuing to be the Key figures in the printing industry and as Pioneer in the print businesss to function.
Rejuvenation programme and new management culture
Peter Sommer is also pleased about the rejuvenation programme. „I'm fit enough and could go on, but the right time has something to do with Intuition and gut feeling to do,“ explains the retiring Managing Director. It was important to him to think about the generational handover in good time, to initiate and prepare everything.
He appreciates Sven Burkhard's calm and likeable manner, has found that „the smart and honest guy“ is well received by customers and employees and emotional connections to the people. Peter Sommer is proud that his son Christopher is now joining the management team.
Two young men on the same wavelength who maintain a constructive relationship, get on extremely well, have their own areas of responsibility and Close coordination at certain interfaces This appears to be the ideal solution for Elanders GmbH.
Source: Elanders GmbH
