She was officially part of the company for 43 years, spending the last 26 of those as managing partner alongside her father Karl Schneider and managing director Rolf Anti, playing a key role in shaping the fortunes of J. Schneider Elektrotechnik. On 31 July, this era will come to an end. Bettina Schneider is taking her well-deserved retirement. ‘Actually, I've been part of the company for much longer, practically since birth,’ says Bettina Schneider with a smile, explaining her close connection to the company. ‘Since we lived right next to the company when I was a child, the production halls were my playground. Later, during my school days, I got to know the company from a different perspective through various holiday jobs.’ Perhaps that was the reason why she anchored and shaped the concepts of ‘family spirit’ and ‘Schneider family’ so strongly in the company. She was the initiator and source of ideas for numerous Schneider-themed parties, Christmas celebrations and many other extraordinary events for the employees. The economic development that the company has undergone over the years is particularly remarkable. In 2024, 470 employees generated around 123 million euros in sales at the four locations in and around Offenburg. Sales have more than doubled in the past 10 years.

‘We have also experienced difficult times, for example when we suffered a slump in the early 2000s. But we always managed to overcome these challenges together, even if we sometimes had to make tough decisions,’ sums up Bettina Schneider.

The sale of the company was also a difficult personal decision. When an ideal partner was found in the Huber family of entrepreneurs from Offenburg, owners of Peter Huber Kältemaschinen S.E., she made this decision for the future of the company as part of the succession plan. The transition of management agreed upon in this process has now been completed, as the right candidate was found in Marco Geiler. As commercial managing director, he bears commercial responsibility for the company. After studying business administration in the field of finance and subsequently obtaining a master's degree, he worked for a major German bank for 15 years. He then continued his professional career in industry, serving as managing director for over ten years. ‘Based on his professional expertise and personal qualifications, we are confident that we have found the right successor,’ says Bettina Schneider with certainty.

Ben Huber will also take on the role of additional managing director, representing the interests of the owner family in the management team. This is in addition to his role as authorised signatory and head of corporate development at Peter Huber Kältemaschinenbau S.E. After completing his master's degree in business administration at the University of Mannheim, Ben Huber initially worked for two large European family businesses before joining the family business in April 2023.

Managing Director Rolf Anti is responsible for the three business areas of transformers, electric drive service centres and high-voltage power supplies/uninterruptible power supplies in the new management team. However, a change is also in the offing here as soon as a suitable successor is found. ‘Even though it is not easy for me, I am confident that we have found the best solution for the future of the company and its employees,’ Bettina Schneider emphasises once again.