Stefan Körber, Managing Director Frostkrone Germany
1. Stefan, congratulations on your new role! With your extensive experience in the food industry, what excites you the most about joining Frostkrone Food Group?
Frostkrone is a true leader in innovation and category development. The entrepreneurial spirit and action-oriented approach of my colleagues are infectious. I’m particularly excited about the customer-centric focus and the persistence in developing winning product propositions.
For over 20 years, Frostkrone has been a leader in the finger food and snack industry. As the first company in Germany to specialize exclusively in developing and producing finger foods, we’ve established ourselves as pioneers. Each year, we create more than 100 new finger food concepts, with over 40 making it to market. Frostkrone is proud to be recognized as a trendsetter in the convenience finger food sector.
2. As the new Managing Director for Germany, what are your primary goals for the German market, and how do you plan to leverage Frostkrone’s innovative capabilities to achieve them?
The primary objective is to continue our successful growth trajectory. Currently, we are exploring new perspectives on the category. How can we increase the category’s appeal to retailers, shoppers, and consumers? What solutions are required beyond product development? Insights will play a key role in answering these questions.
Our innovative spirit continues with the launch of BeatBites by Robin Schulz. Partnering with internationally acclaimed DJ Robin Schulz, we’ve introduced a one-of-a-kind finger food range designed especially for Generation Z. This launch was accompanied by a comprehensive 360° social media campaign, carefully crafted to resonate with this young, dynamic audience and forge an authentic, emotional connection. Our aim is to build a long-lasting relationship with this vibrant customer group.
The newly introduced Burger Balls are another example of our success in meeting the needs of our target market. These bite-sized snacks deliver the full flavor of a traditional burger in a convenient two-bite form. Our customers are thrilled with them—not only do they capture the essence of a full-sized burger, but they’re also incredibly practical. The Burger Balls have already won several awards for their innovation and taste.
3. Germany is known for its high standards in food quality and sustainability. How do you see Frostkrone aligning with these values, and what opportunities do you see for growth in the German market?
Indeed, local consumers are demanding, and Frostkrone meets the requirements of the
German market. We hold the necessary certifications and provide our customers with the labels they require. Consumers love snacking at an affordable price but will not compromise on quality. Our industrial setup enables us to produce a wide range of high-quality products.
We’re also continuously working on new technologies that enhance both the flexibility and safety of food preparation. One of the challenges in the catering industry is ensuring that convenience products reach the optimal core temperature for safe consumption. Frostkrone has been committed to finding a solution. At our Paderborn site, we’ve integrated a state-of-the-art heating system directly into the production process, simplifying preparation and ensuring maximum safety for consumers.
Regarding sustainability, Frostkrone focuses on three key areas: 1] climate (CO2 emissions, energy, and water), 2] food & innovation (food waste, nutritional values, and packaging), and 3] people (continuous improvement of nutritional profiles, sustainable packaging, and reducing our products’ carbon footprints and food waste). Growth areas will be driven by what our customers and consumers demand.
4. With Frostkrone’s strong presence in international markets, how do you plan to ensure that the German operations continue to drive innovation and flexibility within the company?
We serve many multinational and international customers through our organization in Germany. Customer proximity, food trends, and the innovative spirit of my colleagues play a key role in driving innovation. Nurturing collaboration between the Frostkrone Food Group and local resources, along with newly established innovation processes within FKG, will also serve as catalysts for continued innovation.
Although our headquarters remain in Germany, this comes with a unique responsibility. As a key driver of innovation within the Frostkrone Food Group, we believe our agility and quick response to market demands gives us a competitive edge. Flexibility is one of our core