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An "artist of positive thinking", "people-catcher", "networker", "mentor", "bon vivant", "family man" - this is how Michael Reuter described this year's winner of the DIY Lifetime Award in his laudatory speech: Hans-Jürgen Herr, who has been at the helm of Weber-Stephen in Germany from 2004 to 2023, and later in Europe and the EMEA region, has received the 2024 DIY Lifetime Award. Yesterday, 27 November 2024, the award ceremony took place as part of the gala evening at the BHB DIY store congress in Bonn, organised by the German industry association BHB. "Hans has managed to get people, especially men, to cook outside," said Reuter, summarising the achievement of the award winner, who has turned barbecuing into a lifestyle.
He feels the award is an "accolade", said the visibly moved Hans-Jürgen Herr in his speech. He emphasised several times that he was accepting the prize on behalf of the many people who have accompanied him on this journey. By this he meant the employees at Weber, the dealers who have trusted in his vision, and his wife and two sons. In a sometimes humorous account, he traced the development of Weber in Germany – from a loss-making mini-company to a trendsetter in the barbecue industry, which has reached 700,000 participants in 19 years with the barbecue academy (who invested an average of EUR 203 in Weber barbecues or accessories in the first three months after participating). This success was possible thanks to enthusiasm, collaboration and partnership. Treating people as equals and always remaining decent was important to him in his work. He advised the industry to develop solutions and strategies, especially in difficult times. "Who are we?" he asked, calling for self-confidence in the industry: "Difficult conditions should never be an excuse and must always be an incentive."
