Potatoes
Hendrik Schwan, the 24-year-old managing director and owner of Kartoffel Kuhn Großmarkt Ltd Mannheim::
“Young people like me are rare in the industry, especially in leading positions” Hendrik Schwan is the managing director and owner of Kartoffel Kuhn Großmarkt Ltd at the Mannheim wholesale market. After completing a dual study program at Kaufland, the 24-year-old entrepreneur dedicated himself to working at the company where he has now taken over management duties. “I have been working for Kartoffel Kuhn Großmarkt for about two and a half years and relatively quickly obtained a position as authorized signatory. Starting in July 2021, I have been responsible for the company as managing director and shareholder,” says Schwan. Schwan notes that Kartoffel Kuhn Großmarkt Mannheim and Kartoffel Kuhn GmbH Frankenthal are two different, owner-separated companies.
philosophy,” says Schwan.
PROBLEMS WITH YOUNG TALENT IN THE INDUSTRY In addition to the well-known current problems and adversities, Schwan also puts the advanced ages of those customers who operate weekly markets among the greatest challenges. It might be that there is simply a lack of growth in the industry. For this reason, he says, sales channels outside the typical wholesale market clientele must be investigated.
“We get a large part of our sales through e says the wholesale market business tomers and suppliers, and on the other deliveries, for example to various Rewe/ has always appealed to him, but wor- hand, you have a direct relationship with Edeka and Mix stores in southern Germaking with fruits and vegetables had his the products. In addition, I’m convinced ny. Of course, this also includes the typical main attention. “When I was still working it’s an industry where digitization can still wholesale market business with weekly in retail, it was already clear to me that improve things a lot. Young people like me market and retail customers. Regardless I wanted to be in the fruit and vegetable are rare in the industry, especially in this of the war in Ukraine, many weekly marbusiness. You don’t have a direct connec- position.” At the beginning of his career, kets are losing the newly received boost tion to the produce in food retail; it is he said, he definitely had to prove him- again. The same goes for butchers and often just a matter of generally being able self due to his young age, although he now bakeries. Who wants to stand outside at a to obtain goods in the corresponding volu- maintains an extremely good relationship weekly market in all weathers at my age? mes,” Schwan says. with his team. “Bringing in experience and Not very many people, I think.” having a good grasp of the business are of FRESH BREATH OF AIR AT THE course important. At the same time, I’m DEALING WITH PRICE MARKUPS WHOLESALE MARKET sure that many people also see my young Weekly market traders with a high-priced “At the wholesale market, on the one hand, age in a positive light, as I bring in a breath assortment may still be able to sell their you have a lot of direct contact with cus- of fresh air and display a new management goods to premium customers, but sales to
H
84
AGF Primeur 4 • 2022
