Oettinger Beverages reshapes leadership amid Germany's shrinking beer market
Oettinger Beverages, a long-standing family-owned brewery, has announced changes to its executive board. The restructuring follows the departure of former managing director Stefan Blaschak. Two new members will now join the leadership team, bringing fresh expertise to the company.
The brewery, founded in 1731, remains a major player in Germany's beer industry, producing around 6.6 million hectoliters in 2024. Despite its strong position, the wider market has faced challenges, with sales dropping by 6% in 2025 alone. Thilo R. Pomykala will take up his role on April 1, overseeing sales, marketing, and innovation. He arrives with extensive experience, having spent over six years as managing director at Hochwald, where he shaped strategic growth. Earlier in his career, he worked at Unilever, Semper idem Underberg AG, and Meggle, specialising in fast-moving consumer goods.
Dominika Steinberg will also join the board, expanding her responsibilities beyond HR and IT to include production and technology. The company's owner, Pia Kollmar, expressed satisfaction with Pomykala's appointment, citing a long-standing professional relationship.
The brewery, which employs around 700 people across sites in Oettingen and Mönchengladbach, recently closed its Braunschweig facility. This move reflects broader industry pressures, as Germany's beer market continues to shrink. Smaller breweries have struggled, while Oettinger maintains a steady output of roughly six million hectoliters annually—equivalent to around one billion bottles and cans of beer, mix drinks, and soft drinks. The new executive board takes charge at a critical time for Oettinger. With Pomykala's background in strategic development and Steinberg's expanded role, the company aims to navigate a declining market. The brewery's long history and family ownership remain central as it adapts to ongoing industry changes.
