Reinhold Wanner speaks at VKB-Bank Event in Austria

Talk on successful business succession in Ranshofen.

On April 3, 2025, Dipl.-Ing. Reinhold Wanner, Managing Director of Wanner GmbH, was invited by the VKB-Bank to speak at an exclusive event in Ranshofen, Austria. In his presentation titled “Successful Business Succession – Securing the Future, Preserving Values”, he addressed around 50 entrepreneurs and business clients from Austria and Germany at the scenic Schlosstaverne venue.

Mr. Wanner began by outlining the current situation in Austria, where approximately 25,000 family-owned businesses are expected to face succession within the next five years – affecting over 320,000 jobs. He highlighted the most common reasons for failed transitions, including family conflicts, lack of planning, or the absence of suitable successors.

The talk emphasized the complexity of business succession and the many elements that need to be addressed: legal and tax matters, family expectations, organizational structure, retirement planning, and the financial stability of the company. Wanner presented the key requirements for both the outgoing owner and the successor, and also discussed the potential risks – from the loss of clients and key employees to the liquidation of the company.

A key focus was on the importance of professional succession management, ideally divided into three phases: preparation, transition, and post-transition support. Mr. Wanner shared real-world approaches, ranging from internal family solutions to external sales via M&A processes, and underscored the value of early planning and professional advisory support.

In addition to valuable insights, the evening offered plenty of opportunities for exchange and networking – once again highlighting the importance of succession planning for securing the future of the mid-sized business sector in the DACH region.