The future drives us
160 years of the Eberspächer Group – a milestone in the company's history and therefore a good occasion to look back. Managing Partner Martin Peters and CEO Jörg Steins talk about past achievements and future developments.
Eberspächer will be 160 years old on July 9 and you, Martin Peters, have been in charge for 25 years. How does that make you feel?
11 April 2025 – Martin Peters: It naturally fills me with pride that we, as a family business, can look back on such a long tradition. And I am grateful that I am the fifth generation of the family to have been able to help shape this history for a quarter of a century. At the same time, I bear great responsibility for the many employees worldwide. Even in the current challenging times, I am happy to accept this responsibility on a daily basis. Because my job is to lead the company successfully into the future.
Are you consciously looking ahead despite the anniversary?
Martin Peters: Yes, even though the company's history is significant and forms the basis of our current success. There are so many details, as Eberspächer has reinvented itself time and again: From the gutter to the shed roof, from the simple silencer to the Fractal Heater, from the oscillating fire to the pre-heater, which I start by voice command. Our founder would certainly be amazed if he saw a battery management system or hydrogen components with his family name on them. We are a prime example of innovation and transformation.
We are a prime example of innovation and transformation.
Martin Peters, Managing Partner
Jörg Steins, a look into the future as the Group's new CEO – what are the most important milestones you want to achieve?
Jörg Steins: My aim is to set up a lean and sustainably competitive company. Here, an important milestone is to do away with silo thinking and work cross-divisional. We also need to tap into the Asian market, particularly the Chinese market, much more intensively. We consciously place responsibility in the individual regions and demand binding action from everyone. And when I think of technologies, openness to different forms of drive is and remains central. We have to earn money with products for the classic drive types and offer convincing solutions for alternative technologies. The recently concluded partnerships are very good examples of how we can quickly broaden our product ranges. In addition, there will be further opportunities that will lead Eberspächer successfully into the future.
Tradition is one thing – the future is another – what does this mean for Eberspächer?
Jörg Steins: The future brings change and we have to be ready for it. This means that we have to adapt to the market, not the market to us. I am convinced that we will succeed because we have the essential prerequisites on board: We have a global footprint, the products for all technologies and outstanding, well-trained employees with whom we can score points. The future and change also create opportunities, and here I would like to refer you to the Topsoe project. Topsoe was followed by AMBARtec. Openness, curiosity and courage on the part of all employees are necessary to seize such opportunities.
What do you want for the Group of Companies?
Martin Peters: If I may summarize it in three words: cohesion, perseverance, confidence. The current times are challenging and, with this attitude, we will confidently and successfully write the next chapters of our company's history together. I'm looking forward to it!
