Volker Büttel is to take over as CEO of German seafood company Rügen Fisch and its subsidiaries Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal and Ostsee Fisch, parent company Thai Union has confirmed.
Rügen Fisch mainly supplies ambient and chilled fish products – including herring, mackerel, salmon, and tuna – to German and overseas retailers under its own brands. The company employs more than 600 staff across sites in Germany and Lithuania.
Büttel, who will replace current CEO Jens Vogler on 9 May, 2022, will be responsible for strengthening Rügen Fisch’s competitive position, developing innovative consumer products, and continuing the company’s integration into Thai Union.
“With his strong focus on innovation, his many years of experience in the German retail market and his results-driven approach, we are convinced that Volker Büttel has the right skillset to integrate our German business into Thai Union and lead its iconic brands Rügen Fisch, Hawesta, Ostsee Fisch and Lysell into the future,” Thai Union Europe President Paul Reenan said.
Büttel joins Rügen Fisch from German beverage company Hansa-Heemann, where he was responsible for marketing and sales. Before that, he was responsible for domestic and international sales at Kühne. He has also worked at Coca-Cola and Apollinaris & Schweppes.
Together with Rügen Fisch Chief Financial Officer Axel Wolff, Büttel will report to the Rügen Fisch supervisory board. He will also sit on the Thai Union Europe leadership team board.
“I am looking forward to shaping the future Rügen Fisch organization together with our highly talented crew to secure and expand our footing in our markets,” Büttel said.
Vogler will stay with the company until 31 May, 2022, to ensure a smooth transition, Thai Union said.
Photo courtesy of Rügen Fisch
