The Swiss hostettler group, which operates in the motorcycle and bicycle sectors, has appointed Manfred Schönberger as Financial Director for its German subsidiaries: Sports Nut GmbH, hoco online gmbh and hostettler gmbh. Having been Head of Finance within the group since November 2025, Schönberger will take on responsibility for all strategic and operational financial matters from 15 July 2026. Based in Switzerland, he will also work to further develop existing synergies. Meanwhile, the group, headquartered in Sursee (LU), is systematically driving forward the integration of the three German companies.
Centralised marketing management from Berlin
Tobias Hess has been appointed Head of Marketing with effect from 1 July 2026. This is a newly created role at Sports Nut GmbH, where the hostettler group is consolidating the marketing activities of its German subsidiaries. Based in Berlin, Hess will be responsible for establishing a group-wide data and marketing infrastructure. The focus will be on centralised data integration across all channels, data-driven performance marketing, and scalable system architecture to support expansion into further markets.
Go-to-market strategy and brand focus at Sports Nut
As part of the reorganisation, Alexander Heimpel is taking on the role of Go-to-Market Manager at Sports Nut GmbH. Working at the interface between purchasing, sales and marketing, he will focus in particular on strengthening customer-oriented specialist retail marketing. Another key focus will be on the international expansion of the group’s own bicycle brand, BIXS, and the growth of the motorcycle and cycling equipment brand, iXS.
New business development unit and online shop
On 1 August 2026, Sports Nut will establish its own Business Development department. The aim is to make the warehouse management systems established within the hostettler group, including a user-friendly online shop, available to specialist retailers in Germany, thereby standardising processes.
Expansion of sales operations in Europe
In addition, Sports Nut is increasing its sales activities and investing in support for local specialist retailers. Additional sales forces will be deployed in Austria and the Benelux countries in the second half of 2026.
Daniela Thinius, Managing Director of Sports Nut GmbH and hoco online gmbh, explains: “By reorganising our finance, marketing and sales departments, we are laying the foundations for further growth. Our aim is to provide specialist retailers with more intensive local support and offer them more efficient digital solutions through a new online shop. At the same time, we are utilising hoco online’s e-commerce expertise and integrating the companies more closely.”
