Susanne Veltins, the sole shareholder in the fifth generation of the C. & A. Veltins brewery, will step down from active management of the brewery after 30 years of service. As long planned, her resignation will be effective at the end of this year, coinciding with the conclusion of the brewery's 200th anniversary. The 64-year-old will, however, remain connected to the brewery as a member of the advisory board.
Simultaneously, long-time general attorney Michael Huber is stepping down as planned at the end of the year. The 74-year-old, who has significantly influenced the brewery's success story during his 29-year tenure, may also join the advisory board in the future, although this has not yet been announced.
Dr. Volker Kuhl, with Veltins since 1995, will assume overall responsibility for leading the brewery, succeeding Huber. The 60-year-old Kuhl is expected to bridge the gap to Susanne Veltins' nephew, Fabian Veltins, who has been working in the company as a managing director since the summer of 2022, getting to know the family business in all areas.
Fabian Veltins, now 34, has been systematically prepared for future leadership in the brewery. After a commercial apprenticeship at Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh and a master's degree, he completed training as a brewmaster at Doemens. He then worked in sales at Radeberger Braugruppe before returning to marketing at Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh. After a stint at the Spanish brewery group Mahou-San Miguel, Fabian Veltins joined Veltins as national sales director for gastronomy on July 1, 2022.
Meanwhile, there are disruptions to the smooth generational transition at Veltins from Susanne's brother, Carl-Clemens Veltins. The "black sheep" of the family has struggled with drug use, prison time, and is currently unemployed.
About 30 years ago, their mother, Rosemarie Veltins, settled with him for several million DM, convincing him to waive his inheritance. After that, contact with the family was severed. Now seemingly out of money, the 61-year-old is fighting in court for a portion of the inheritance.
However, Carl-Clemens Veltins' claim seems dubious due to his long inactivity in this matter and potential statute of limitations issues. Neither Susanne Veltins, who has no children, nor her sister Frauke Veltins, Fabian Veltins' mother, have commented on the matter.
