Group Management

Michael Pieper, President and Chief Executive Officer

Born 1946, Swiss, with Franke since 1989

Michael Pieper has owned and has run Franke since 1989. Prior to joining Franke, Michael Pieper worked several years in the US in different positions in banking. He holds a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland (lic.oec.HSG). Michael Pieper is a board member of several Swiss public companies including Forbo, Adval Tech, Feintool, Hero and Berenberg Bank AG.

Jürg Fischer, Chief Financial Officer

Born 1959, Swiss, with Franke since 2005

Prior to joining Franke Jürg Fischer held several executive positions including Chief Financial Officer at Habasit AG, Commercial Director at RAG-Reichenberger AG, Group Controller at Siber Hegner and internal Auditor and Team Leader at Sandoz AG. Jürg Fischer holds a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland (lic.oec.HSG).

Dr. Andreas Hauswirth, Head of Corporate Services

Born 1954, Swiss, with Franke since 1987

Dr. Andreas Hauswirth joined Franke as Assistant to Group Management. In 1994 he became member of Group Management with responsibility for Corporate Services (Corporate Secretary, Corporate Legal, Corporate Communications, Corporate Human Resources, Corporate Insurances and Risk Management), and responsibilities for Other Activities companies and Franke Immobilien AG. Prior to joining Franke Dr. Andreas Hauswirth worked as a legal advisor for OBT Treuhand AG. Dr. Andreas Hauswirth earned a law degree and doctorate from the University Berne, Switzerland (Dr.iur).

Dr. Bernhard W. Stauch, President Franke Kitchen Systems ad interim

Born 1941, German, with Franke since 1987

Besides presiding over Franke Kitchen Systems, a post he had held for many years in the past, ad interim, Dr. Bernhard W. Stauch has responsibilities within the Human Resources, Finance & Acquisition and Audit Committees of the Franke Board of Directors and runs special strategic projects for the Franke Group. He holds a Master degree and a PhD in Economics from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Hans J. Ott, President Franke Foodservice Systems

Born 1948, Swiss/USA, with Franke since 1979

Hans J. Ott joined Franke as Assistant to the CEO, followed by special assignment in the US for Franke. 1981 he became General Manager of the Franke US Foodservice activities. Prior to joining Franke he worked in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Hans J. Ott holds a Master Degree in Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland (dipl.Ing.ETH).

Expanded Group Management

Manfred Schaden, Head of Franke Washroom Systems

Born 1946, Austrian, with Franke since 1976

Manfred Schaden began his career with Franke as Head of Sales Franke Austria, followed by the position of Managing Director Franke Austria. In 1989 he became Head of the Franke Kitchen Systems Business Unit East and in 2002 Head of Franke Washroom Systems. In 2007 he joined Expanded Group Management. Prior to joining Franke Manfred Schaden was Head of Exports for an international food company. Manfred Schaden holds a degree in Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Economics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Marga Gyger, Head of Franke Coffee Systems

Born 1945, German, with Franke since 1994

Marga Gyger joined Franke in a managing position for Food Service Equipment. In 1997 she took over responsibility for the newly founded coffee machine branch of Franke and in 2003 she was appointed Head of Franke Coffee Systems. In 2007 she joined Expanded Group Management. Prior to joining Franke Marga Gyger worked in various positions for Hengstler GmbH in Germany and North European Countries. Marga Gyger studied at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany with studies abroad (Barcelona, Spain).

Dr. Udo Humme, Head of Franke Beverage Systems

Born 1947, German, with Franke since 1997

Dr. Udo Humme started his career at Franke with a product management position for Blefa´s keg business. 1999 he took over the responsibility for sales and in 2002 he was appointed Managing Director of Blefa. In 2006 he became Head of Franke Beverage Systems and in 2008 he joined Expanded Group Management. Prior to joining Franke Dr. Udo Humme worked in various positions for Krupp-Hoesch and Mannesmann in Germany. He earned a degree and doctorate in economics from the Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany (Dr. rer. oec.).

Peter Kaufmann, Chief Information Officer

Born 1957, Swiss, with Franke since 2007

Peter Kaufmann joined Franke as CIO of Franke Group. Prior to joining Franke, he held various international management positions in software development, business re-engineering and IT management for Swatch Group, Roche Diagnostics and Habasit AG. Peter Kaufmann graduated as Master of Science ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland) and he holds two post-graduation Degrees, one in Business Management and one in Electronic Business Management.

Gerda Schwindt, Head of Corporate Human Resources Management

Born 1966, Swiss, with Franke since 2000

Gerda Schwindt joined Franke as Head of Human Resources Management for several Franke companies in Switzerland and managed the pension fund. In 2002 she took over responsibility as Head of Corporate Human Resources Management. In 2007 she joined Expanded Group Management. Prior to joining Franke Gerda Schwindt worked as Head of Private Secretary of CEO & Member of Swiss National Council and as HR manager of a international production company. She holds a post-graduate diploma in HR Management.