GEZE celebrates its long-term Chief Executive Officer: Brigitte Vöster-Alber turns 80

Brigitte Vöster-Alber spent 52 years as Chief Executive Officer at the helm of GEZE, the door, window and safety technology specialist. She was at the helm of the family business into its fifth generation, and guided it to its current success through her visionary leadership and untiring commitment. Ms Vöster-Alber has been part of GEZE as a member of the supervisory board since 2021. On 23 March, Brigitte Vöster-Alber will celebrate her 80th birthday.

When Brigitte Vöster-Alber took over the family business from her grandfather, Reinhold Vöster, in 1968, she was a young woman and a clear exception when compared to other managing directors and corporate boards in Germany. As a mother of four children and an active businesswoman, she also remained that way for many years. Speaking of her life as the head of a family business – in the dual meaning of the word – Brigitte Vöster-Alber says: “I knew what it meant to become the sole chair of a family business. I had to become accustomed to, and then assert myself in a man’s world. Each year came with its own new and exciting moments and, when the year ended, I always thought that the current year had been the most exciting of all. For me, as a member of the supervisory board at GEZE, nothing about that has changed”.

I knew what it meant to become the sole chair of a family business. I had to become accustomed to, and then assert myself in a man’s world. Each year came with its own new and exciting moments and, when the year ended, I always thought that the current year had been the most exciting of all. For me, as a member of the supervisory board at GEZE, nothing about that has changed.

Brigitte Vöster-Alber, member of the supervisory board of GEZE GmbH

On 23 March, Brigitte Vöster-Alber will celebrate her 80th birthday.

Throughout her over 50 years of responsibility for the family business, Ms Vöster-Alber developed GEZE into a nationally and internationally successful company. Her husband, Hermann Alber, worked at her side in the technical area on the board of management. During this time, the company developed from a manufacturer of manual door and window solutions to a provider of networked building systems. 37 subsidiaries, more than 3,000 employees worldwide, and countless awards like the Order of Merit for the State of Baden-Württemberg and the Federal Cross of Merit, as well as inclusion in the Handelsblatt Hall of Fame, speak for themselves.

Brigitte Vöster-Alber withdrew from corporate management only three years ago to hand over the board of management to the next generation. As a member of the supervisory board, she continues to serve the company as a strategic consultant. “I always try to focus on the future. Experience is a treasure, but it can also stand in your way in some decisions. I try not to make my decisions based on the past” Vöster-Alber says – and her actions reflect her words.

I always try to focus on the future. Experience is a treasure, but it can also stand in your way in some decisions. I try not to make my decisions based on the past.

Brigitte Vöster-Alber, member of the supervisory board of GEZE GmbH