The Prodinger Group, based in Coburg, Upper Franconia, celebrates its 100th anniversary on July 1, 2025. The family-owned company's history is peppered with numerous success stories. However, the versatile packaging specialist has deliberately decided not to "publicly review" its historical milestones and is instead focusing on those who have always made Prodinger what it is today: its employees.
To mark the 100th anniversary, family celebrations will therefore be held at each of the five main locations, to which the families of the workforce are also invited, in line with the overarching credo "we are all together". The celebrations will kick off on July 4, 2025, at the headquarters in Coburg and, after events at the northernmost location in Henstedt-Ulzburg in Schleswig-Holstein (July 11), in Nuremberg in Middle Franconia (July 18), the southernmost location in Herbolzheim near Freiburg (July 25), and finally on August 15 in Erfurt, Thuringia.
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Steffen Prodinger (left) is now handing over the baton to Markus Ettlin. The Prodinger Group has also acquired the packaging company Lorentzen & Sievers, which is well established in the fruit industry, just under two years ago.
"100 is a number with great appeal. But as special as it may be, we don't want to overdo our anniversary and are deliberately refraining from a large public celebration. After all, we're not celebrating a number – we're celebrating the people who are important to us, and that's our employees," says Steffen Prodinger, managing partner and chairman of the board of the Prodinger Group. "We are celebrating all those whom we have been privileged to accompany in their professional development and through the various stages of their lives, whom we train, whom we mold into specialists and managers, and whom we bid farewell to when they retire after many years with us. Together, we want to toast what is truly important: our togetherness."
Moving images for the 100th anniversary
To get everyone in the mood for the anniversary celebrations, Steffen Prodinger recorded a video message for the Prodinger team, which now has 570 members, in which he thanks each one of them for their commitment and also pays tribute to his grandfather and company founder, Hans Prodinger, and all other former Prodinger shareholders. "Although I have not had the opportunity to meet all the Prodinger shareholders personally in this capacity, I am firmly convinced that they have all always done their utmost to make an individual contribution to ensuring that our group of companies is where it is today. They all shaped our family business during their active careers – and for that I am infinitely grateful," says Steffen Prodinger.
A new CEO marks the next milestone. July 1, 2025, is a historic moment for the Prodinger Group, and not just because it marks its 100th anniversary. At the same time, the company welcomes Markus Ettlin as its new CEO, who will now lead the family-owned company's operations. Markus Ettlin replaces Steffen Prodinger as CEO, although the latter will remain active in the company as Chairman of the Board.
Until the end of the year, Markus Ettlin will work alongside Steffen Prodinger as Co-CEO, getting to know all aspects of the group before taking over sole operational responsibility on January 1, 2026. The Dortmund native will relocate with his family from Hamburg to Coburg so that he can work directly from the Upper Franconian headquarters.
Markus Ettlin – a doer with a flair for family businesses
For Markus Ettlin, the position of CEO at Prodinger is a special privilege, as he has been fascinated by family businesses for many years. "What inspires me is the teamwork: the closeness, the clarity, the open communication, and the way people act. That's what I'm excited for at Prodinger: honest, straightforward exchanges, moving forward together in the same direction, and strong teamwork," says Markus Ettlin.
The course he will take with Prodinger is already clear: "We want to further profile Prodinger as a highly professional, reliable, and innovative partner in the industry. I see three guidelines for our journey: First, a stronger market and customer focus—close to needs, quick to implement. Second, a transparent management culture based on trust. And third, the systematic development of our teams and structures – with a clear focus on value creation, quality, and sustainable growth."
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Company founder Hans Prodinger (l) and the new CEO Markus Ettlin.
A mindset that connects and shapes the future
Markus Ettlin's professional career clearly demonstrates that he has exactly the right mindset for Prodinger: "In my career to date, I have had the privilege of helping to shape two exceptional family businesses: Gebr. Heinemann in Hamburg – a fifth-generation company with almost 150 years of history – and Gauselmann, a second-generation company with a tradition stretching back almost 70 years. These experiences have taught me how valuable family structures are, with all their special characteristics, with the responsibility to preserve the legacy and at the same time courageously shape the future. I know this world. And I appreciate it deeply," explains Markus Ettlin.
This special knack for family businesses also convinced Steffen Prodinger, among others. For him, the appointment of a new CEO was the next logical step in the development of the Prodinger Group. "In my role as CEO, I made the conscious decision to step aside so that I can focus more clearly on the company in the future, rather than being directly involved in operations," he explains. "I look forward to many more years with our great team and, of course, with our new CEO Markus Ettlin, who is precisely the right person to steer our corporate family."
For more information:
www.prodinger.de
