On May 1, Beatrix Praeceptor has taken over as chief executive of Greiner Packaging. She succeeds Manfred Stanek, who assumed the role of chief operating officer of Greiner AG on January 1. Beatrix brings a wealth of international experience and leadership expertise from her previous position as chief procurement officer of packaging and paper company Mondi. The new CEO’s goals include continuing Greiner Packaging’s global growth trajectory with a focus on sustainable transformation.
For a more detailed introduction, we invited Beatrix to join us for an interview.
What do you most look forward to when you think about the years ahead at Greiner Packaging?
So many things! I am looking forward to getting to know new colleagues, our plants, and our business partners, of course, and to building plenty of close, strong relationships. I am particularly looking forward to having the chance to play my part in overcoming the challenges that lie ahead with regard to establishing a circular economy and doing business sustainably.
And on a personal level, I am excited about moving to Upper Austria.
What do you think the future holds for the plastic packaging industry?
Our industry has many challenges to overcome in the years ahead. However, we should not forget that plastic packaging is an essential part of our lives. Our job is to work relentlessly to minimize the negative impact on our planet. That begins with developing sustainable products that are reusable or recyclable. But it extends far beyond that as well, to how we as an industry can make sure we play a meaningful role in developing a circular economy, even when that means having to completely rethink business models. From that point of view, I can see a whole host of opportunities for our industry in the coming years!
What does sustainability mean to you personally?
Sustainability means a variety of different things to me, both personal and professional. But as a mother of three children who have now grown up and will have kids of their own one day, I can best sum it up like this: For me, sustainability is the responsibility to do everything in my power to ensure that earth is still a planet worth living on for future generations. This includes not only what I personally consume and how I consume it, but also how the company I work for operates and what I can do to help keep our society moving forward – toward more respect and diversity. Each and every one of us has a sphere of influence within which we can make a difference. The larger that sphere, the greater the responsibility to improve sustainability. As CEO, I take this responsibility as seriously as my responsibility as a mother.
When you are not at work, how do you spend your free time?
I am a huge fan of being out and about in nature. I enjoy any type of exercise that you can do outdoors and feel the ground underfoot. I also like to dance – and of course, coming from Vienna, I love going to a ball. When I have a little more time on my hands, I like to travel, with Italy being my favorite destination.
Thank you for the interview!
