Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Steinhaus-Nafe, you are the managing director of a family business with a history of more than 180 years. Is there something that has characterized the company since its inception? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: On one hand, Steinhaus stands for tradition, and on the other, for a willingness to continually reinvent itself, to introduce new products to the market, and to work on innovations that capture and reflect trends. This openness to change is a fundamental characteristic. 

Wirtschaftsforum: How can this attitude be seen in the company's history? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: The origins date back to 1841 when Johann-Peter Steinhaus founded an oxen butchery, thereby laying the foundation for today's company. Over time, many new aspects and developments have been incorporated, so that today we offer not only a range of meat and sausage products but also fresh pasta, and products like sauces and Japanese dumplings. We produce both branded and private label products. Both product areas adhere to the same standards in terms of safety, levels of control, reliability, and quality; however, we work with customer-specific recipes. These recipes are implemented in Remscheid, where 800 employees are active. We were fortunate to be able to acquire surrounding properties, allowing us to continue our growth in the future. 

Wirtschaftsforum: Can you give examples of both proven classics and new products? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: The roast pork is a flagship product in the meat and sausage range. It is now available in various new variations such as truffle or rosemary. Also new is our thinly sliced cooked salmon ham. In fresh pasta products, it's hard to highlight individual products; the entire range has become a flagship offering.

Wirtschaftsforum: You represent the 5th generation of the family and together with your husband, you manage the business. What market developments do you see? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: The trend is towards health-oriented convenience products, whereas the meat and sausage market is rather declining. However, since we consistently offer high-quality products, we are growing in our niche positioning against the trend. In everything we do, we strive for the highest quality. 

Wirtschaftsforum: Is this commitment to quality the reason for the company's ongoing success? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: Quality products are a prerequisite for success. Additionally, we are a reliable partner in the trade and rely on an excellent team. Our employees are passionate about the company, identify with it, and enjoy working together. A good working atmosphere is especially important in challenging times. We also provide extensive training and support for our employees. This also proves to be effective. 

Wirtschaftsforum: Many companies complain about difficult economic conditions. How do you see this with regard to the future of Steinhaus? 

Anja Steinhaus-Nafe: We do not wait for political decisions, but act proactively. It's not enough to wait for others to solve problems; sometimes you have to try things, even if they do not work. If the conditions were better, if there were fewer bureaucratic hurdles, work would certainly be even more enjoyable.