The new CEO: involved since the age of 12, now leading the family business – Maurice Wolf. / Image: Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH

CEO at 26: Why Maurice Wolf Builds Machines for Willy Wonka

Reading Time: 7 Minutes / Published: 23.06.2026

At just 26, Maurice Wolf is taking the helm of the fifth-generation family business – bringing fresh momentum to mechanical engineering. In this interview, the CEO of Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH talks about responsibility, big ambitions, and the fascination of working behind the scenes of the confectionery world.

Mr. Wolf, you took over the management of your family business at the age of 26 – how does that feel?

I have actually been CEO since August 2025, and honestly, not that much has changed for me. I was already handling many of these responsibilities before. Externally, however, it’s quite noticeable – as CEO, you are perceived differently.

Do you remember the moment you realised: I’m going to follow in my father’s footsteps?

For me, it was clear from a very early age that I wanted to join the family business. Since I was twelve, my father took me along on business trips, showed me factories, and introduced me to customers. He has always been a great role model for me – I never considered taking a different path.

Which steps prepared you for this role?

My father made it a condition that I complete a degree in business studies in order to gain the necessary background and knowledge. Beyond that, he prepared me from an early age for eventually taking on the role of CEO.

Generational change & responsibility

Your company is now run in its fifth generation – what does this tradition mean to you personally?

I am incredibly proud to be continuing the business. It makes me proud to see my name on the company and to know every day what I am working for. And I would be more than happy if one day I could successfully pass the company on to the sixth generation.

What was the biggest challenge for you in taking over the role?

The biggest challenge is being perceived and respected as a leader at such a young age – and knowing how to reach experienced colleagues so that they trust your decisions. This is especially true since some of them have known me since I was a child, and many of our employees have been with the company for decades.

Is there anything you deliberately want to do differently from the previous generation(s)?

I believe my father made many excellent decisions in leading the company. However, I would like to further digitalize the business and strengthen collaboration with other manufacturers – always with the shared goal of delivering the best possible production system for each customer’s individual product.

How do you manage to bring in fresh momentum while preserving your roots?

That’s not an easy task, because new ideas often meet resistance. A complete transformation will certainly take time. But we are clearly moving in the right direction: since last year, a lot has changed – something that is already reflected in both our revenue and our company structure.

Making business and technology tangible

Your company builds machines for the confectionery industry – how do you explain what you do to someone outside the field?

I often say that I’m the one who builds the machines for Willy Wonka—that usually brings a smile. Most people immediately think of well-known brands, but rarely consider the technology required to produce those products in the first place.

Team at interpack 2026 standing together in front of a company machine.

Maurice Wolf with his team at interpack 2026, standing in front of one of the company’s machines at the booth. / Image: Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH

Is there a machine or innovation you are particularly proud of?

Our coating pan has proven to be our flagship product – both in the past and today. It is our best-selling system and the core of our portfolio, especially in today’s market, where snacking trends and new, exciting products such as matcha strawberries are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger consumers.

Manufacturers need flexibility: at a time when the demand for new products is constantly growing, any investment must enable a wide range of applications. I can proudly say that our Coatmaster is extremely versatile – whether for coating biscuits, fruits, nuts, jellies, extrudates, or even marshmallows.

This is exactly what gives our customers a decisive competitive advantage – and is also the reason behind the strong growth we are currently experiencing.

Career & personal perspective

What excites you most about your job?

Personally, what excites me most is walking through a supermarket and seeing products from customers for whom we have installed a system. Tasting them with the thought in mind: my name is on that machine – I had a hand in it and contributed to making it possible.

This is all the more true because we don’t just see ourselves as machine manufacturers, but as partners to our customers – working closely with them to develop ideas, concepts, and sometimes even entire products together.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

I get up at six, I’m at work by seven, and the first step is always to check emails, prioritize the day, and prepare for upcoming meetings. Everything else then unfolds naturally – short-notice issues that need resolving, as well as offers, projects, and systems that require discussion with sales and engineering.

There’s no such thing as a perfectly structured day – each one is different, and that’s exactly what I love about my job. Some days I’ll be on the shop floor at eight in the morning discussing projects with the production team, while on others I’m still working on concepts and new developments at five in the afternoon.

What have you learned most in your first months as CEO?

Above all, I’ve learned to listen – and to truly understand people and their motivations.

Was there a moment when you thought: “Now I’ve really arrived in this role”?

Not really – maybe that moment will come someday. But since the transition was so gradual, I don’t think there was ever a single, defining point like that.

Packaging industry as an employer

The packaging and mechanical engineering industry is not automatically a “first choice” for many young people. Why is that undeserved?

I believe it mainly comes down to a lack of awareness or access. Many simply don’t know what’s behind the industry and how diverse and exciting it can actually be.

What makes this industry exciting – or even “cool” – from your perspective?

The opportunity to travel, to work closely with customers, and to see what you create – from raw steel to a fully operational machine. Being part of that entire process is incredibly rewarding.

What opportunities does it offer young talent today?

We of course offer apprenticeships, but we also place a strong focus on career changers who bring fresh ideas and new momentum into the company. Especially at a time when skilled workers are hard to find, it’s becoming increasingly important to train talent ourselves.

Looking ahead

Where do you see your company in five to ten years?

I see Wolf continuing – just as it does today – as a market leader in coating technology and as a pioneer with the best solutions for chocolate coating. At the moment, we are investing heavily in growth, expanding our production capacities, and strengthening our presence in international markets.

Over the next five to ten years, I would like to double the size of the company, further expand our portfolio, and solidify our position in the market.

Maurice Wolf (l.) with his four siblings and father Michael, posing together for a photo.

Maurice Wolf with four siblings and father Michael. / Image: Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH

What role do you personally want to play in this?

As an entrepreneur, I want to think ahead – making the right decisions at an early stage and taking action to make this goal possible.

Are you already thinking about the future – about passing the company on to your children?

I don’t have children yet, although it’s definitely something I would like – perhaps in a few years. My partner would first like to complete a law degree, which I fully respect. After all, such a decision comes with great responsibility.

I have four siblings myself, so I know family life very well. Nothing would make me happier than one day bringing my own child into the business – provided there is genuine interest and enjoyment.

About Maurice Wolf

At 26, Maurice Wolf holds a degree in business administration. Before taking on his role as CEO, he gained hands-on experience across the company, working in production, procurement, sales, and logistics. In his spare time, he finds balance through fitness training and mixed martial arts (MMA).

About Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH

Founded in 1930 in Nossen near Dresden, the company is now run in its fifth generation. With around 60 employees and locations in Bad Salzuflen as well as an office in Kansas, USA, Lothar A. Wolf Spezialmaschinen operates on an international scale. Its customers come from all over the world, with around 90 percent of its machines exported. From Europe to Australia and even Hawaii, the company’s global network reflects the strong demand for its specialized solutions.

The company’s portfolio is highly diverse: alongside the manufacturing and sale of new and used machinery for the confectionery industry, its services also include repair and refurbishment – even for third-party equipment.