Rapunzel founder, Joseph Wilhelm, hands over to the next generation

The anniversary year of the organic produce pioneer Rapunzel Naturkost starts with a generational change at the management level

The year 2024 marks an important milestone in the history of the organic food producer Rapunzel: Joseph Wilhelm, founder and CEO, is handing over the management to the next generation in the 50th year of the company's history. From 1 February, Seraphine Wilhelm and Rosalie Dorn, and as such two more children, will be joining the management team. An additional external Managing Director will be appointed in the course of 2024. Margarethe Epple will become spokesperson for the management team. At the sister company, Zwergenwiese, Jochen Walz, previously an authorised signatory, will be appointed as the second Managing Director alongside Joseph Wilhelm.

"Every company phase and every generation has to face its own specific challenges. I am sure that the next generation will face them head on and grow with them, just as we have done. Trust cannot be demanded, we can only give it unconditionally," Joseph Wilhelm, founder and previous Managing Director of Rapunzel, explains.

"I have led the company with joy and gratitude for half a century. In 2019, Leonhard joined me and Margarethe Epple as the third Managing Director after a long period with the company. Ever since, we have been involved in the process of succession planning." For Joseph Wilhelm, the year 2024 marks the perfect time to finalise this transition phase: On the occasion of his 70th birthday and Rapunzel's 50th anniversary, he is announcing his retirement from operational management, with effect from 31 January 2024.

Two more children join the management board

In addition to Leonhard Wilhelm, who has been Managing Director since 2019, Seraphine Wilhelm, former Head of Marketing and Organic Market, and Rosalie Dorn, former Head of Finance, Processes and Sustainability, will join the Management Board. Margarethe Epple, Managing Director at Rapunzel since 2012, will act as Spokesperson of the Management Board. This gives Rapunzel a broader management structure and a stable foundation for future development. "I am looking forward to supporting the new generation with my experience and knowledge. For all three of them, the values that characterise Rapunzel are self-evident and they have been taking on responsibility in the company for years," Margarethe Epple explains.

Division of responsibilities

In her new position, Seraphine Wilhelm will be responsible for the marketing, product management and quality assurance departments, as well as the organic market in Legau. "A centrepiece of the company is the Rapunzel brand and how it is communicated to the outside world. I am very much looking forward to carrying the company and the Rapunzel brand into the future with energy and passion, together with the employees," the former Head of Marketing goes on to explain. Quality assurance also fits in well with her area of responsibility. This is because Customer Service, a team in Marketing, works closely with this department.

Rosalie Dorn sees the Logistics and IT departments as an ideal complement to the Financial Accounting, Controlling, Process Management and Sustainability departments that she is already heading. "After all, efficient processes are needed to operate sustainably in the long term." She is also responsible for sustainable supply chain management, an area that is close to her heart: "Fair trade and organic farming will remain a top priority for us in the future. Seeing how much we, as Rapunzel, are achieving worldwide motivates me every day!"

Leonhard Wilhelm will continue to be in charge of trade with purchasing and sales. He will also be responsible for production and technology. "I'm looking forward to production, my new area of responsibility, which is at the heart of Rapunzel. Because if we don't produce any products, we are not able to sell any. This way, I can keep an eye on the entire chain." Leonhard Wilhelm has been Managing Director since 2019 and has been with the company for a total of 20 years. "Together with my sisters, we will continue running Rapunzel successfully," he adds.

Over the course of the year, an external Managing Director will join the management team and take over Margarethe Epple's previous areas such as Human Resources, Organisational Development and General Administration. What is more, he will also be responsible for the Real Estate area, Facility Management and the Rapunzel Welt visitor centre.

Further changes at Rapunzel and Zwergenwiese

Production Manager, Alexander Karst, and Logistics Manager, Stefan Schmaus, are appointed authorised signatories. Both are in charge of the departments with the highest number of employees at Rapunzel. Stefan Schmaus has been with Rapunzel for 25 years; Alexander Karst for 12 years.

There will also be a change at the sister company, Zwergenwiese: Jochen Walz, previously an authorised signatory, has been appointed second managing director alongside Joseph Wilhelm. "Since Zwergenwiese became a sister company of Rapunzel in 2017, Jochen has more than proven himself as an authorised signatory and representative in the far north," Joseph Wilhelm explains the decision.

An advisory board will be appointed for Rapunzel Naturkost GmbH and Zwergenwiese Naturkost GmbH during the first half of 2024, of which Joseph Wilhelm will be a member. What is more, Wilhelm will continue to fulfil his obligations as a shareholder and managing director of JKW Vermögensverwaltung and as a board member of the RAPUNZEL Eine Welt Bio-Stiftung.

After 50 years, above all else, Joseph Wilhelm is looking forward to less time pressure. And to having more time for his grandchildren, of which he currently has seven, his friends and his social life. His organic farming business and numerous hobbies such as running, cycling and writing ensure that he will never be bored in this new phase of life.

The generational change, with the new management and the authorised signatories, is notarised. The picture shows (front, from left to right) Managing Director, Leonhard Wilhelm, notary, Karl Büringer, Joseph Wilhelm, Managing Director, Margarethe Epple. (back, from left to right): Logistics Manager and authorised signatory, Stefan Schmaus, Managing Director, Rosalie Dorn, Managing Director, Seraphine Wilhelm, Production Manager and authorised signatory, Alexander Karst.

Founder and previous Managing Director, Joseph Wilhelm, hands over responsibility to his children. The picture shows (from left to right) Managing Director, Seraphine Wilhelm, Managing Director, Margarethe Epple. Joseph Wilhelm, Managing Director, Rosalie Dorn, and Managing Director, Leonhard Wilhelm.