Leadership transition at Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition, Antje and Bernhard Eckel hand over to the next generation
Niederzissen, 22 September 2026 – Viktor and Klara Eckel will jointly take the helm at medium-sized feed additive manufacturer Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition in 2027. Leadership of the family business will pass entirely to the next generation as founder Antje Eckel and Bernhard Eckel step back from their operational roles.
Dr Antje Eckel, founder and CEO of Dr. Eckel, and Dr Bernhard Eckel will hand over the operational leadership of the family business to their children at the end of the year. Klara Eckel and Dr Viktor Eckel will take over, bringing the next generation into the lead.
Viktor Eckel has been a member of the management team since 2024. From 2027, he will serve as Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for the company’s operations. Klara Eckel will lead sales for the international business as Chief Commercial Officer. A trained miller, she has also held leadership positions within the company for several years, most recently as Regional Sales & Business Development Lead Asia.
Antje Eckel founded the company in 1994 to offer an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. In developing its own products, the company has always focused on innovative approaches that naturally support both animal welfare and performance in a sustainable way. Production began at its headquarters in Niederzissen in 2009. In 2017, the opening of its international headquarters in Bangkok strengthened its presence in Asia. Today, Dr. Eckel employs more than 80 people worldwide and exports to over 40 countries.
The family has been preparing for the leadership transition for years, giving both successors plenty of time to prepare for their new responsibilities. “Even so, you’re bound to feel a bit nervous,” says Klara Eckel, “now that the final decision lies with you.” Alongside the support of their team, they will continue to benefit from Antje and Bernhard Eckel’s advice. “We will still be able to draw on all their experience, knowledge and expertise. That was very important to us,” Viktor Eckel emphasises.
Both siblings began considering a future in the family business during their education and training. Viktor Eckel studied biochemistry in Munich and Tromsø, Norway. After completing his doctorate, he initially headed Marketing and E-Learning before he became Managing Director , with responsibilities including the further development of the phytogenic portfolio. Klara Eckel trained as a feed miller and worked at various companies in Germany and abroad before taking over as Head of Production at Dr. Eckel in 2019. From 2023, she was responsible for developing new business areas as Business Development Manager. In 2026, she took over regional sales leadership for Asia.
“Our parents always wanted us to choose our own career paths,” says Viktor Eckel, “but of course they are delighted that we will be taking Dr. Eckel forward.” Their youngest brother, Theo Eckel, has also worked for the company for several years. This spring, he took on responsibility for strategic purchasing to prepare him for a future leadership role within the company.
About Dr. Eckel
Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition is all about innovative feed additives made in Germany. The value-orientated family business was founded by Dr Antje Eckel in Niederzissen / Germany in 1994, where it is still firmly established.
The company has gained international success with Dr. Eckel ranking among the world’s leading companies in the sector with a specific focus on animal welfare, developing products that make animal nutrition more resource-efficient, climate-friendly and healthy. This is how Dr. Eckel contributes to sustainable global nutrition.
Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition represents excellence, innovation and responsibility towards people, animals and the environment. The products combine innovation and quality, which is what sets Dr. Eckel apart. Customers value the solutions for profitable animal nutrition. These promote animal welfare and enable customers to achieve sustainable, long-term success. To this end, the multinational team of experts conducts research and works with specialists from around 20 different countries. This is but one of the reasons why Dr. Eckel was identified as a hidden champion by the Forschungszentrum Mittelstand (FZM), a research institute for the German Mittelstand at the University of Trier.
Every year, Dr. Eckel invests more than 10 per cent of its revenue in innovation projects for customers, partners and employees. These consist of new products, consolidating digital infrastructure and sustainability projects such as replacing the current company fleet with electric vehicles, among others.
Projections
This press release may include projections based on current assumptions and forecasts made by the management of Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG. Various risks—both known and unknown—uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG to differ significantly from the estimates provided here. Such factors include those described by Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG in published reports. Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG shall accept no liability whatsoever for updating such projections and adjusting them to future events or developments.
