The first quarter of 2026 marked a turning point for us, characterized by a significant company anniversary, intensive teamwork and a dynamic start to the year.
Our anniversary celebration on March 14, 2026 at the Seerau site was undoubtedly an outstanding event. Several historical milestones came together on this day: 50 years of Seerau, 35 years of Bismark since its reconstruction in 1991 and 10 years of Hayna. In total, Steinicke can look back on an impressive 105 years of company history. We were able to celebrate this special anniversary together with over 350 guests, including colleagues from all three locations, their families, representatives from the press and politics as well as our valued business partners. The day was a complete success and impressively conveyed the feeling of solidarity and pride in our shared achievements.
Exclusively for all employees, we continued the anniversary in the evening. We celebrated, laughed and toasted our shared history until late into the night. This celebration was not only a wonderful event, but also an unforgettable moment for many, which underlined the strong cohesion within our company.
The end of the 2025 season took place at the same time as the celebrations. The drying of vegetables ran until March 4, 2026, with organic parsnips being the final product. Last year, we achieved a strong overall production of dried goods – driven by the efficiency of all locations.
The new season started immediately afterwards. In Hayna, processing began on March 19, 2026 with spinach. The season is also about to start in Seerau, probably on April 20, 2026, with the processing of chives and asparagus. These developments make us optimistic and full of energy for the coming months.
The situation at the Bismark site following the fire on December 8, 2025 remains a key issue. Progress is being made step by step: Three plants can now be used for production again. Although full capacity has not yet been reached again, this represents significant progress and an encouraging sign for the reconstruction. At the same time, construction work is running at full speed, including the renewal of the roof.
We are also investing in the future in Seerau. Extensive roof renovation work is currently taking place there. These measures are crucial to securing and further strengthening our locations in the long term.
In summary, the first quarter of 2026 got the year off to a strong start with a successful anniversary, a successful end to the season and a committed start to the new campaign. It once again illustrates our core values: cohesion, commitment and a shared determination to look positively to the future, even in challenging times.