The beginning of 2025 marked the start of a new era for Komet Irrigation: after a seamless changeover period, brothers Viktor, Arno, and Hugo Drechsel have stepped back from their long-time executive roles, entrusting the company into the hands of two carefully chosen Managing Directors.
Thanks to Komet’s joint leadership concept, each Managing Director is able to fully focus on specific areas of responsibility. These are divided into Production, Quality, Logistics, Purchasing, Finance, HR and Administration (Sacha Hoffmann), and R&D, Product Management, Sales and Marketing (Andree Groos).
Responding from their office at Komet HQ – set against the striking backdrop of the Austrian Alps – Andree Groos and Sacha Hoffmann share some insights into their new roles and their vision for the future.
Sacha and Andree, you both bring a wealth of expertise to your respective roles. What drew you to Komet and the world of irrigation?
Sacha Hoffmann: After 25 years in the automotive industry, I felt it was time to apply my experience to a field that has a direct and meaningful impact on society. Komet perfectly aligned with this ambition, with products that are both resource-efficient and enhance agricultural productivity – ultimately ensuring a more reliable and sustainable food supply worldwide. I also recognized that this was a company driven by a clear sense of purpose, that goes beyond the business itself. Everywhere I looked, I could see values like teamwork, customer satisfaction, quality and even family woven into the culture. This was where I belonged.
Andree Groos: What fascinated me was the fact that a small company in the Austrian Alps is delivering high-precision irrigation to customers around the world. I was impressed by the ambitious designs and state-of-the-art production methods – but what really captivated me was the central role innovative irrigation plays when it comes to solving the great challenges of our time: ensuring food security while enabling a sustainable use of energy and water.
Which aspects of your previous experience lend themselves especially well to the new tasks ahead?
A.G. My approach has always been to listen to the customer and immerse myself in all aspects of the task at hand. I like to go out and see things for myself, before turning these experiences into something measurable. One of the most transferable skills I’ve gained is the ability to set priorities and pursue them with a clear focus.
S.H. Komet is on track for continued rapid growth. To sustain this momentum without compromising our core values and philosophy, it’s crucial to engage the entire team. That means clear communication of short and long-term goals, strong governance, standardized processes, and continuous training to motivate and empower people. I’ve spent over 18 years building teams this way—and I see it as my key contribution to Komet’s future success.
What are the advantages of the company’s joint management structure?
S.H. A shared leadership model allows for a diversity of perspectives that greatly benefits the decision-making process. Working alongside Andree, we’ve discovered that our skills and backgrounds complement each other perfectly. We come from different continents, have worked in various countries and industries – mostly in multinational environments – and our competencies really amplify each other’s strengths. I also believe that a shared leadership can set a powerful example of unity and collaboration, inspiring the entire team to work together towards common goals.
A.G. Over the past decades, the Drechsel brothers have worked together to build a ‘hidden champion’ in the Alps – so Komet already has a well-stablished history of a highly successful joint leadership. In my previous role as Managing Director at the Vaillant Group, it was the same philosophy: we were four Managing Directors with clearly differentiated responsibilities, leading as one team.
Sacha, you joined Komet as Managing Director back in 2024. What has surprised you most about the company, and what changes have you implemented so far?
S.H. What truly amazed me is how the Drechsel brothers have seamlessly embedded their philosophy throughout the entire organization. At Komet, quality is absolutely non-negotiable, and it all starts with actively listening to customers and addressing their needs through technical innovation. Beyond that, they have always seen their employees as part of the family, creating a unique company culture where values and people are at the heart of everything we do.
For the past year, I’ve been intensely focused on implementing a Lean philosophy – a concept widely adopted in the automotive industry with a view to eliminating waste and optimizing the value stream for the customer. I’m proud of what the Komet team has accomplished in such a short time, and grateful for the tremendous effort everyone has put in.
Your working lives now revolve around Komet HQ in Austria’s Tyrol region. How have you navigated this change?
A.G. My family has a longstanding connection to Austria, especially Tyrol. Although I went to university in Austria and occasionally returned for smaller work assignments, I never thought I’d one day be working here full-time. And you’re right, going back and forth between my home and Lienz requires dedication – but once I’m here, the town, my colleagues and the surrounding mountains compensate for a lot and give me a constant smile.
S.H. The most difficult part of the decision to join Komet was the impact on our family life. I’ve been happily married for 27 years, and we have three children. Uprooting everyone to move to Lienz wouldn’t have been fair to the kids or to my wife. Although the transition has been a sacrifice, the key to making it work has been to truly value the time we do get to spend together. During the week, I’m able to dedicate myself entirely to my work. This also means I haven’t had much of a chance to explore the region, which is definitely one of my goals for this year.
Andree, your past experience includes the expansion of a family-owned company with a 150-year heritage, and its development into a market leader in the field of modern, energy-efficient heating technology. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned?
A.G. It is vital to know your customers and identify your success factors. To do well in any industry, you have to understand who buys and uses your products. That might sound simple. But with a company like Komet – whose multi-tier sales structure involves our direct customers and end users, local equipment dealers, distributors and consultants, as well as the manufacturers (OEMs) that integrate our products into their center pivots – that process is quite complex. Fortunately, this type of multi-dimensional decision-making is something I’ve experienced before in my previous roles.
You both had a lead-up period of working closely with the Drechsel brothers, who have now transitioned to the Advisory Board. What are the benefits of such a gradual changeover?
A.G. The know-how and expertise the Drechsel brothers have internalized in their minds and hearts isn’t something you can pass on in a few days. There is a lot of ‘tacit’ knowledge, knowledge you don’t even know you have, which can only be transferred by actively working together over a period of time.
S.H. Working with the Drechsel brothers has given me a deep understanding of Komet’s philosophy. I was impressed by their long-term vision, and the almost selfless decision to entrust Komet’s leadership to people outside their family. Their continued presence on the Advisory Board provides great reassurance and is greatly appreciated as we move forward.
Modern farmers are facing unprecedented challenges. How do you see the future of agriculture and, in particular, Komet’s role in driving positive change?
S.H. I believe the future of farming relies on innovation, supply chain collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Global food security, environmental protection, and resource efficiency demand strategic, modern solutions—Komet aims to be part of that. That’s why we see ourselves not just as a supplier, but as a trusted partner to farmers, offering advanced irrigation technology backed by a global network of agronomy experts to help build a more sustainable and resilient future for agriculture.
A.G. For the farmers of tomorrow, being able to increase yields while saving energy and water will be more important than ever. But the scarcity of natural resources is not the only challenge we have to tackle – there is also a shortage of skilled labor in the agricultural sector worldwide. Our products are designed as one-stop solutions that address all of these issues simultaneously, both in terms of sustainability and ease-of-use. For the future, we will place an even stronger focus on reducing the need for manual labor in the field through high-tech monitoring and optimization systems.
On a personal note, what message would you like to give Komet’s customers and partners at this milestone in the company’s evolution?
A.G. It’s an honor to be entrusted with the task of taking Komet into the future. What the Drechsel brothers have achieved with their father’s company is a remarkable success story that we are excited to continue. We really look forward to embarking on this journey together with our customers, partners, and the entire Komet family.
S.H. I sincerely appreciate the trust you’ve placed in Komet over the years. For this next chapter, we are committed to maintaining our core values of quality and innovation. I’m confident that, together, we will continue to grow, adapt, and thrive,- ensuring that Komet remains a reliable and forward-thinking partner.
Thank you for being a part of our story, and for allowing us to be part of yours!
Sacha Hoffmann has built a multinational career in the automotive industry in Germany, Italy and Spain. As a logistics and Lean Production specialist, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Plant Manager and Managing Director at MAHLE – a global leader in engine component manufacturing with almost 80,000 employees. Sacha studied Commercial Engineering in Chile and Germany, complemented by a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the ICIL Barcelona. He specialized as a Lean Advisor through training at the Lean Institute in Germany and the EU-Japan Center in Tokyo.
Andree Groos spent over twenty years of his career in the HVAC industry, where he held various leadership positions within the Vaillant Group, a multinational, family-owned company with a history spanning 150 years. As Managing Director of Sales, Marketing and Service, Andree greatly contributed to the company’s rise as a market leader in climate-friendly heating technologies, with a reach extending to 60 countries and 3.8 bn sales worldwide. Andree studied Business Administration in Germany and France, and holds a PhD from the Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck, Austria.