women4beverages: Sandra Gresser, managing owner, Gresser GmbH

Carrying on the legacy

In 2004, after graduating in business administration, Sandra Gresser joined the family business founded 150 years ago. "I didn't want to do it at first," she admits. Her father, Christian Gresser, was a controversial figure, which didn't make the decision any easier. But it was also clear: "I am the only daughter. And there is no alternative to continuing the family business, which has survived two world wars and two currency reforms," she explains. Respect for the family's accomplishments and an inner obligation to carry on the legacy outweighed any notion of self-fulfillment. Even that was an illusion, says Gresser: "For a career as an employee, you also have to adapt and consider where you want to fit in." So she opted for self-employment.

Pulling together

Sandra Gresser worked alongside her father for 14 years, sharing management responsibilities. She has proven her ability to adapt and, fortunately, her ability to assert herself. "There were regular clashes," she says, describing the early days, "we are a family, we know exactly what makes each other tick and which buttons to push. Sometimes the fuses blew." But she was back the next day. Eventually, the conflicts became less frequent: "We learned what we had in common."

Conquering technology

Her father, who owned 51 percent of the company, had high expectations for his daughter. He was in charge of the technical side of the business, and she was in charge of the commercial side. "But I was also interested in the technical side. I taught myself, read technical literature or asked our employees," she says. Eventually, she was able to assert herself and work in sales. "The first year and a half was hard work. After that, we worked well together," she says. Today, she knows she couldn't have asked for a better role model: "My father is a good businessman, very confident. And he's great with customers. I learned a lot from him.” For example, basic values such as honesty and authenticity"only then will you be taken seriously," says Gresser.

Radical handover

 "After my father unexpectedly left the company, my independence took on a new dimension," she says. Sandra Gresser took over the family business completely in 2018, the first woman and fourth generation to do so. "My father radically handed everything over to me. In the first year, I felt like I was juggling 20 balls with which I was only half familiar." Only gradually did she realize that she could make a difference. As a result, she carefully redesigned some things and developed her own management style: "You learn to manage people by doing. Especially the unpleasant tasks such as dismissals.” It's important for her to be credible and "not to think I'm better than my employees.” Her company has 65 now. Sandra Gresser's agenda for the coming years includes the renovation of the production halls, modernization and automation. A particular focus is on becoming energy self-sufficient with the help of photovoltaics. "My father left me a lot of work to do," she says clearly and without reproach.

Stepping out of the shadows

"There are few women in management positions in the brewing industry, but all of them are experienced," says Sandra Gresser, "it's harder for women because there's always the family issue in the background." She knows that better than anyone. Her son is 17 years old. She raised him while running the business, without working from home or taking time off to care for him.  A woman always has two roles, she says, which is a big challenge. So she is pleased when she sees colleagues in the industry such as Victoria Schubert of Karg Brauerei, Marlies Bernreuther of Pyraser Brauerei, Gabriele Lemke of Hirschbrauerei Honer or Gisela Helene Meinel-Hansen of Meinel Bräu. Here, too, she finds clear words: "In one way or another, we all had to prove ourselves and step out of our fathers' shadows. And we all did well to assert ourselves.“ Sandra Gresser can be justifiably proud of her business, family and personal achievements.