Interview with Wilhelm Ringbeck
How did you start your own business?
After several years in construction management in gardening and landscaping, I founded my first gardening and landscaping company in Erfurt in 1991 together with my former employer, which I later took over on my own. In 1994, I then founded Ringbeck GmbH in my hometown of Oelde. The company from Erfurt was incorporated as a dependent branch and later sold to a new partner. In 2011, Ringbeck GmbH had the opportunity to establish a new location in Langenfeld in the Rhineland and in 2018 an additional branch was opened in Niederkassel near Bonn.
Why did you decide to sell your company?
It was important to me to secure the continued existence of my company. From 2019, I was approached by various private equity companies, which I was honestly quite sceptical about at first. After a few discussions, however, I was very sure that this was the right path for me.
Why did you decide in favour of Greenovis and the group concept?
The chemistry was right from the start and the agreements we made were very binding, which is still the case today, so I had a good feeling. It was clear from the outset that the group would develop with us. As this contributed to my goal of securing the continued existence of my company, it was an additional plus point in deciding in favour of this path.
In addition, I had already worked with Karsten Suckau to find a successor in the management team. This was accepted by Greenovis, which was also an important point for me.
What were your concerns and were they justified?
I was afraid that there would be interference in the day-to-day business and that there would be strong control over my company. Fortunately, this fear turned out to be unfounded.
Was there anything that surprised you?
I was aware that we were to become a group of companies. However, I hadn’t expected the group to grow to such an extent in such a short period of time.
How did your employees react to the sale?
On the one hand, my employees were relieved that the continuation of the business was secured. On the other hand, they were slightly unsure about what would happen now. As nothing has changed for the majority of them in their day-to-day work, this uncertainty was quickly dispelled.
‘By joining the
Greenovis Group, I have
made the business I built
up fit for the future.’
WILHELM RINGBECK
And how have your customers and suppliers responded to the sale?
Very neutrally, a few have enquired, and I have contacted larger companies directly. Since, as I said, nothing has changed in the operational business, it wasn’t a big issue.
What advice do you have for shareholders who are thinking about selling their company?
It doesn’t work to sell your company, hand over the keys and say goodbye. Plan enough time to hand over your company step by step.
How did you continue in the company after the sale?
I was still Managing Director at Ringbeck until February 2024. At the same time, I was and still am a member of the advisory board and have a consultancy agreement with Greenovis.
As part of my consultancy work, I support the group in acquiring new partner companies, for example. From my point of view, this is a great way to continue contributing my knowledge to the group and to find out what is happening and what is planned.
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