April 17, 2025: Lead battery manufacturing major Banner has announced that Werner Töpfl has become the first externally-appointed CEO in the company’s history.

Austria-headquartered Banner said on April 8 the move was an historic step following more than three decades of leadership by owners Andreas and Thomas Bawart.

Töpfl took over operational management of the firm on April 1. Banner said he had already been gradually integrated into central areas of the company over the past two years and was most recently responsible for finance, IT, controlling, supply chain and sustainability.

He is supported by two long-standing managers, Franz Märzinger and Florian Steinhart, who act as members of the management board.

With the change, Andreas and Thomas are withdrawing from operational management, but will remain closely associated with Banner as owners.

Andreas, previously commercial managing director, said: “We are handing over to a manager who knows and lives our values and at the same time has the necessary entrepreneurial experience to lead Banner further into the future.”

Töpfl said: “We have designed a structured transition with clear goals, open discussions and a lot of responsibility.”

The new CEO said he wants to make Banner more efficient, digital and market-oriented:

“Banner must be noticeably different from the competition through quality, customer proximity, speed and clear decisions.”