Marie-Luise, you graduated from high school last year. What are your plans now?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: I started my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in October 2023 and have already begun working at the company alongside my studies. Florian, when you look at the company today, what feelings come to mind?

Florian Göpfert: First and foremost, pride. Pride in the achievements of those who built this company before us, especially my grandfather Karl F. Göpfert, to whom I owe a great deal. It is a great honor for me to be able to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors and to have been working for the company since October 2023. Why is it important to break new ground?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: Because it’s the only way the company can continue to grow – both economically and socially. Do you remember your first visit to the company?

Florian Göpfert: Honestly, no – I was just a baby. Only a few months after I was born, I was already in a playpen in my mother’s office, surrounded by caring employees. My earliest real memories are of weekend tours through the company grounds with my grandfather. He loved taking me along, and I was fascinated even then by the sheer size of our machines. I also have fond memories of the company Christmas parties, where the children were always involved. Was your career path in the family business predetermined?

Florian Göpfert: Not at all. Even when I began studying Industrial Engineering, I wasn’t sure I’d join the company. Of course, there were signs: I grew up here, I carry the family DNA, and I’ve always been close to the company. But in the end, it was entirely my own decision. It was only through closer contact with the company during my studies that I made the firm decision to join. What about you, Marie-Luise? Did your parents offer any guidance on what path to take?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: No, they left the decision entirely up to me. I chose Business Administration because I knew I wanted to be involved in the company, and business skills are essential in any enterprise. Breaking new ground while preserving the entrepreneurial heritage – how do you manage that balancing act, Florian?

Florian Göpfert: It’s a major challenge. What’s been achieved over the past 75 years is extraordinary. Preserving that legacy while continuing to evolve, take new steps, and adapt to changing circumstances isn’t easy. Times are changing – so is society, and so are employee expectations. We have to stay flexible and meet these changes with innovation and progress. That’s always been one of our strengths. Do you feel pressure?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: It’s more of a motivation than pressure. You want to live up to what previous generations have accomplished – and that’s what drives me. What fascinates you about corrugated cardboard as a material?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: So many boxes made of corrugated board are shipped every day. You come across it constantly in everyday life, yet few people realize how much effort goes into creating the final product. I find the many production steps and the versatility of the material really interesting.

Florian Göpfert: Corrugated board is a very sustainable material; huge quantities of it are recycled and returned to the paper cycle. I am also fascinated by the many ways in which it can be used. Just think of the different types of cardboard packaging you find in supermarkets, for example. The possibilities are endless. It is the interplay between these two aspects that makes the material so fascinating to me. Of course, I also find it fascinating that cardboard boxes are manufactured on our machines all over the world and end up in supermarkets or in everyday life. Despite your young age, you’re both deeply committed—professionally and socially. Has that been shaped by your family?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: Absolutely. The commitment Florian and I show is clearly rooted in our family values and the company culture. Looking back at the company’s history, what impresses you the most?

Florian Göpfert: First and foremost, its origins. We mustn‘t forget that in the 1950s, in the post-war period, the company started out as a small locksmith‘s workshop and grew into a global enterprise in the decades that followed – and all from an idea that was brought to Albin Göpfert. I am fascinated by the work of my grandfather, who played a key role in building up the company from 1969 onwards and developed products that are still ‘best in class’ today. How do you plan to preserve the company’s entrepreneurial legacy?

Marie-Luise Göpfert: By approaching my work with motivation and a willingness to help—always being present when challenges arise and offering support. You have to stay committed and ready to contribute at all times.

Florian Göpfert: For me, adaptability is key – especially in responding quickly to change, including evolving customer needs. Being close to our customers is essential, because they’re often the source of innovation through their ideas and requirements. It’s our job to turn those ideas into solutions. That’s what sets us apart, and it’s what we need to continue.