Heinz Gries (76) and Andreas Land (54) of Griesson - de Beukelaer (GdB) are the “Family business owners of the year 2011”. The INTES academy for family-owned businesses in Bonn and the magazine “impulse” awarded the renowned prize to the two GdB shareholders on Tuesday 15 November. During a ceremonial evening event at Bensberg Castle near Cologne the jury in particular praised the succession planning which takes place at GdB as “an excellent example to other family business owners”.

“Succession planning is the central challenge facing any family owned company“, said the founder of INTES, Prof. Dr. Peter May during the prize giving. “And choosing someone from outside to run the company is no simple constellation. This applies above all given the fact that Heinz Gries enabled Andreas Land to become a shareholder in his company”.

Heinz Gries took over the management of the family business based in Polch in 1967 as the third generation, and has had a substantial involvement in its development into one of the leading companies in the European sweet and savoury baked goods market. Today he controls the fortunes of the company as Chairman of the Advisory Board. Andreas Land joined the company in 1998 as Managing Partner. High cost-consciousness, good employees, technology leadership and a very good price/performance ratio still continue to define the guidelines of this internationally active business. 

“We are delighted to join the Hall of Fame of German family businesses with this award”, said Andreas Land at the prize ceremony. The cooperation between Heinz Gries and Andreas Land is based on mutual trust and a shared view of the future of GdB. They are both convinced that solidity, consistency and a sense of proportion will continue to remain essential for the success of the enterprise.