Bastian Fassin retains BDSI chairman position

The BDSI German confectionery sector’s latest general meeting concluded with the reappointment of Bastian Fassin, from Katjes Fassin, as chairman for an additional two years, reports Neill Barston.

Most recently, he played a key role at this year’s ISM event in Cologne, overseeing its awards event (pictured), and for the past decade has been the chair of the major global sweets and snacks trade fair’s working group, which successfully paved the way for last month’s event in Germany.

Bastian has been managing partner of Katjes Fassin together with Tobias Bachmüller since 2004, and also main partner of Katjes International. He has been a member of the BDSI Executive Committee since 2008.

The organisation also confirmed the deputy chairmen of the BDSI, including Aldo Cristiano, Ferrero Deutschland, Michael Overhoff, Continental Bakeries Deutschland,  Andreas Patz, Haribo, Martin Ruehs, Eisbär Eis Gebr. Klehn, and Karl Westing, Intersnack Knabber-Gebäck.

Furthermore, Carsten Bernoth, General Manager of the BDSI, thanked the members of the BDSI executive committee on behalf of all member companies of the association and also the BDSI office for their great voluntary commitment to the German confectionery industry.

Overall, the BDSI represents the economic interests of more than 200 mostly medium-sized German confectionery companies. It has a share of around 10% in sales of the food sector in the Germany,  with a strong focus on product exports.

In total, the country employs around 60,000 in the sector. This includes  large, internationally active companies in the confectionery industry that are organised in the BDSI, as well as a  significant number of small and medium-sized companies. The company size structure in the industry is made up as follows: 51% small companies (up to 100 employees), 42% medium-sized companies (up to 500 employees) and 7% large companies (over 500 employees).