Stephan Fritzsche and Mario Dreismann (left to right)
Courtesy WE-EF Stephan Fritzsche and Mario Dreismann (left to right)

The following is a press release from the Bispingen, Germany–based lighting brand We-ef announcing Mario Dreismann as its incoming managing director.

Ensuring continuity and promoting development. Combining these two things is one of the great challenges in company management. After setting the course for the future of WE-EF by joining the Fagerhult Group three years ago, Managing Director Stephan Fritzsche has decided to initiate the succession process after 34 years in the family business and to step down as of 30 September this year.

Mario Dreismann, who holds a degree in Business Management, joined WE-EF on 1 June and is working together with Stephan Fritzsche until 30 September during the handover period. On 1 October 2020 Mario Dreismann will then officially take over full responsibility from Stephan Fritzsche as Managing Director of the WE-EF Group.

After graduating with a Degree in Engineering, in 1986 Stephan Fritzsche joined the family business founded by his father Wolfgang Fritzsche in Bispingen in 1950. He successfully led WE-EF through major challenges such as globalisation, digitalisation and the LED revolution to its current strong market position, and consistently promoted the development of a robust, flexible and innovative company structure. His management style, which is characterised by responsibility, integrity and fairness, has left its mark on WE-EF and has earned him the recognition and respect of employees, business partners and industry colleagues alike.

The aim of the succession plan is to hand over responsibility to the new management of the Fagerhult Group as smoothly as possible. "We are pleased to welcome Mario Dreismann as the future Managing Director of the WE-EF Group. He is well-qualified to carry forward the success, the specific character and the innovative spirit of WE-EF in an increasingly complex world," Stephan Fritzsche said in commenting on his chosen successor.

Mario Dreismann has international management experience as a business leader and is an expert in the construction and lighting industries. Following his graduation in business management, Mario Dreismann was head of sales and marketing at Dorma for several years. In his most recent position as CEO at Ansorg and a member of the management board of the Vitra Group where he was responsible for the shopfitting division. "I am passionate about good architecture and lighting, two things that WE-EF combines in an ideal way. At the same time, I see myself as a team player with a strong interest in products, leadership and people," Mario Dreismann explained. He is 43 years old and lives in Düsseldorf with his wife and three children.