The legendary trade manager and author Dr. Gerhard Drexel was awarded the Austrian Trade Prize 2024 for his life’s work yesterday evening in Gmunden (Upper Austria). The ceremonial presentation of the most important domestic trade award took place as part of the trade association congress “DAY OF TRADE” in front of more than 400 guests.
The laudatory speech was given by WEZ managing director and deputy. Edeka supervisory board chairman Karl Stefan Preussa long-time companion of Gerhard Drexel. Trade Association President Stephan Mayer-Heinisch and general manager Rainer Will honored Gerhard Drexel for his foresight, his comprehensive work for the Austrian retail industry and his valuable contributions to the further growth of the trade association.
Gerhard Drexel: A life marked by trade
Dr. Gerhard Drexel was born in Dornbirn in 1955 and completed his studies in business administration at the University of St. Gallen and the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck. In 1980 he received his doctorate in social and economic sciences on “Strategic Corporate Management in Retail”. Through his father Luis Drexel – a founding member of SPAR in Austria and winner of the Austrian Retail Prize 2018 – he was born with retail.
After working in Switzerland, Gerhard Drexel became a member of the board of SPAR in 1990. He led SPAR Austria as CEO for twenty years – from the beginning of 2001 to the end of 2020 – and during this time, among other things, he shaped the successful private label architecture of the Austrian retail group with the highest sales. At the beginning of 2021, he took over the chairmanship of the supervisory board of SPAR Austria.
An officer and gentleman
“If I had to describe Gerhard Drexel with a film title, it would be an officer and a gentleman. He is truly a great man from a small country”appreciated Karl Stefan Preuss the grand seigneur of Austrian trade.
“As a manager and innovator, Gerhard Drexel has looked far beyond the retail industry and has had a lasting impact on the entire industry. His great influence on the European food value chain is just as evident as his courage to communicate openly and honestly – even towards politicians. He is a “A real model of leadership in the spirit of appreciation for his employees. His love for regional food of the highest quality is what sets him apart.”said trade association managing director Rainer Will.
“Trade is a beautiful industry, there is no one more beautiful. But trade, industry and agriculture must always work together, we must not allow ourselves to be divided,” appealed Gerhard Drexel in his acceptance speech to the representatives of the entire food value chain present.
The trade association and all its members congratulate Dr. Gerhard Drexel warmly welcomes you to the Austrian Trade Prize 2024.
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