Fressnapf country manager Hermann Aigner steps down

Hermann K. Aigner has decided, at his own request, to step down from his current role as Managing Director of Fressnapf Handels GmbH Austria and Fressnapf Switzerland AG. This has been confirmed by Fressnapf headquarters in Germany: “However, he will remain with the company and will contribute his many years of experience to a new role within the national subsidiary.”

Until a successor is appointed, Aigner will continue to manage the operational business in collaboration with Patrick Bontenakels, Regional Operations Officer, and will actively help to ensure a seamless transition, according to Fressnapf. “The search for a suitable replacement is already underway.”

The news comes after several prominent departures from the company's management team since owner Torsten Toeller announced a year ago that Fressnapf more international and and sold shares to an investor for the first time in order to buy Arcaplanet, the market leader in Italy, and shortly before former Tesco manager Matt Simister is set to replace interim CEO Peter Pritchard and interim CFO Sebastian van Stiphout on 1 September.

Florian Wieser will replace former CFO Christian Kümmel in January. Benjamin Beinroth, long-time Senior Vice President IT & Processes at Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo, left in March. In June, Stephan Plass, Head of Purchasing in the Wholesale Nonfood division and Vice President Product Development & Sourcing, announced that he was leaving the company after twelve years. Most recently, Patrick Kitzinger, Head of Digital Vet, and Dr. Tina Fehling, Brand Innovation & Strategy Leader, said goodbye.