Clage family business: sons take over and focus on the future!

Clage family business: sons take over and focus on the future!

In the dynamic world of corporate takeovers, a notable change at the top of Clage GmbH in Lüneburg recently took place. On July 1, 2025, Jörg and Joachim Gerdes officially handed over management of the company, known for its energy-efficient hot water devices, to their sons Alexander and Jonas Gerdes. This step was ceremoniously celebrated at the summer festival on July 11, 2025, combined with a symbolic act that impressively staged the handover. Jörg and Joachim Gerdes will remain associated with the company as shareholders and will provide advice to the new managing directors, ensuring a smooth transition.

Alexander Gerdes, who has headed international sales since 2019, brings in his in-depth training as an industrial engineer and his international experience. Jonas Gerdes, who has headed the Human Resources department since 2016, has successfully completed a dual business administration degree. In their first statements, both emphasize the focus on the further development of decentralized hot water supply, an essential principle in modern building concepts that is becoming more and more important.

Intra-family handovers require planning

Taking over a business within the family can be a double-edged sword. Loud Lexis Lawyers From 2022 to 2026, around 190,000 family businesses in Germany will face the challenge of succession. Many entrepreneurs are often confronted with emotional tensions, uncertainties and tax questions. Therefore, early and structured succession planning is crucial to ensure the continued existence of the company.

Among the many challenges are the different expectations of family members, as well as the evaluation of the company and the need for an open transfer of knowledge to the next generation. However, a well-planned succession not only ensures continuity and stability, but also leverages the internal expertise that arises from the successor's familiarity with the corporate culture.

Valuable tips for succession planning

To ensure a successful business takeover, a few important steps should be taken into account:

• Frühe Planung und klare Kommunikation innerhalb der Familie.
• Externe Unterstützung durch Berater oder Mentoren in Anspruch nehmen.
• Schulung und Weiterbildungen der potenziellen Nachfolger durchführen.
• Erstellung eines detaillierten Nachfolgeplans, um Konflikte zu minimieren.

Another important aspect is to create a written succession planning document to provide clarity and define responsibilities. This allows companies to preserve their values ​​while building a stable future.

The handover of Clage to the next generation is perceived not only as entrepreneurial progress, but also as emotional progress. With their foresight in the planning and strategic design of this handover, the Gerdes family has shown a good hand, which can serve as a role model for many companies. The challenges are great, but with the right strategy, any family takeover can become a successful tradition.