Banner GmbH has announced a major leadership transition with the appointment of Mag. Werner Töpfl as its new CEO, effective 1 April 2025. For the first time in its history, the Austrian energy storage company is moving to external operational leadership after decades of family management. The move is part of a broader strategy to sharpen the company's focus on digitalisation, customer engagement, and sustainable growth.
Following over 30 years in management, previous leaders Andreas and Thomas Bawart have stepped back from daily operations. Both will continue as owners, ensuring continuity while allowing new leadership to bring fresh perspectives. Töpfl, who has been integrated into Banner’s management structures for the past two years, previously oversaw finance, IT, controlling, supply chain, and sustainability initiatives.
The transition was strategically planned over several months, with a structured process aimed at maintaining operational stability. "The owners have placed their trust in me from the very beginning," Töpfl noted, emphasising the collaborative nature of the leadership change.
Töpfl has outlined a clear agenda focused on making Banner more efficient, digital, and market-responsive. Key areas include:
Supporting Töpfl in this strategy are long-standing managers Franz Märzinger and Florian Steinhart, who will continue to serve on the management board.
Although no longer involved in day-to-day operations, Andreas and Thomas Bawart remain deeply committed to the company's future direction. "It’s a change in the sign of further development," said Andreas Bawart, underlining that Banner’s values and traditions will remain intact during this evolution.
Banner's leadership transition highlights a growing trend across the energy storage and tyre sectors: balancing tradition with innovation. As manufacturers adapt to digitalisation, sustainability goals, and evolving customer demands, structured leadership changes like this one are crucial for long-term competitiveness. The focus on efficiency and clear market differentiation mirrors broader strategies seen in the tyre and mobility industries, especially as electrification and smart energy management reshape sector priorities.
Tagged with: Banner, Werner Töpfl, energy storage solutions, leadership transition, sustainability, digitalisation, battery industry, Austrian manufacturing
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