| Editorial team
|
21.11.2024
After more than 25 years, Hans-Joachim Kleinwächter is retiring from Toom’s management team. His departure brings with it a strategic realignment in the management structure of the hardware store chain.
Hans-Joachim Kleinwächter, managing director at Toom Baumarkt since January 2012 with responsibility for marketing and category management, will retire at the end of 2024. The 61-year-old worked for the Cologne hardware store chain from the Rewe Group for over 25 years and is leaving a clear mark on the company.
With Kleinwächter’s departure, not only will his position be eliminated, but also the previous structures: There will be no new managing director for marketing and category management.
Marketing becomes a matter for the boss
Kleinwächter’s tasks are divided. Will be in the future René HassfeldCEO of Toom, will be directly responsible for marketing. Haßfeld, who already oversees cross-channel activities, online marketing and sales, will personally take over the management of this strategic division.
Haßfeld said about his decision: “We see the coming changes – starting with the downsizing of the management team – as an opportunity to position the company even more economically and to prepare it for the coming market requirements.”
New responsibilities in category management
While marketing will be located directly at Haßfeld, category management will also receive new leadership. Dominique Rotondipreviously Managing Director for Purchasing and Logistics, will also take on responsibility for this area.
Rotondi has been a member of the management team for several years and is intended to create synergies by combining the areas of purchasing, logistics and category management in order to make the company’s processes more efficient.
Positive expectations for the future at the Rewe Group
The parent company Rewe Group sees the new structure as forward-looking. Jan Kunathdeputy chairman of the board of the Rewe Group, explains: “This will now ‘continue to build and expand the proven management team’.”
Kunath emphasized that Kleinwächter and his team had created important foundations that were of great importance for the further development of Toom. In particular, the strategic further development of Toom’s own brand and the realignment of the brand as a whole are largely due to his work.
Strategic focus on efficiency and flexibility
With the new management structure, Toom aims to be able to react more efficiently to the requirements of the market. The reduced management structure is intended to enable faster decision-making and clearer responsibilities, according to reports Horizon.
How do the combined responsibilities of purchasing and category management under Dominique Rotondi’s leadership position Toom for both synergy and potential challenges, and what strategies might mitigate those challenges?
## Toom: A New Era Begins – Interview with Industry Experts
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the recent leadership changes at Toom Baumarkt, analyzing the implications for the hardware giant and the broader retail landscape. Joining us are two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. Anna Schmidt:** Retail Industry Analyst and Professor of Marketing at the University of Cologne.
* **Klaus Bauer:** Former CEO of a leading DIY chain and seasoned business consultant.
Thank you both for joining us.
**Section 1: The Legacy of Hans-Joachim Kleinwächter**
* **World Today News:** Dr. Schmidt, Hans-Joachim Kleinwächter leaves behind a 25-year legacy at Toom. How significant was his impact, particularly in developing Toom’s own brand and repositioning it in the market?
* **Dr. Schmidt:**
* **World Today News:** Mr. Bauer, from your experience leading a DIY chain, how crucial is a strong brand identity in this competitive market? How effective were Kleinwächter’s strategies in achieving this for Toom?
* **Mr. Bauer:**
**Section 2: The New Structure: A Strategic Shift or Cost-Cutting Measure?**
* **World Today News:** The departure of Kleinwächter sees a restructuring of Toom’s management team. René Hassfeld, the CEO, will now directly oversee marketing. Dr. Schmidt, how might this streamlined approach impact Toom’s marketing strategies?
* **Dr. Schmidt:**
* **World Today News:** Mr. Bauer, many industry voices interpret this restructure as a move towards greater efficiency and response to market demands. Do you agree? Could it also signal a shift in priorities towards cost optimization?
* **Mr. Bauer:**
**Section 3: The Future of Toom: Challenges and Opportunities**
* **World Today News:** Dominique Rotondi now takes the helm of both purchasing and category management. Dr. Schmidt, how could the combined responsibilities create synergies for Toom? What potential challenges might arise from this integrated approach?
* **Dr. Schmidt:**
* **World Today News:** Looking ahead, Mr. Bauer, what key challenges do you foresee for Toom in the evolving retail landscape? What opportunities can they capitalize on with this new structure?
* **Mr. Bauer:**
**Conclusion:**
* **World Today News:** Thank you both for sharing your invaluable insights. The changes at Toom Baumarkt undoubtedly signal a new chapter for the company. Time will tell how these strategic decisions ultimately shape Toom’s future and its position within the dynamic DIY retail market.
