The General Assembly approved the association’s annual accounts, received the 2025 annual report, and unanimously discharged the Executive Board and management. In addition to Grobien’s re-election, Jean-Paul Haessig, Stephanie Silber, and Jens D. Lukaczik were re-elected as Vice Presidents.

Following his re-election, Grobien emphasized the continuing relevance of the Bremen Cotton Exchange for the global cotton trade.

“The Bremen Cotton Exchange has repeatedly demonstrated its relevance and importance across generations. Our expertise in quality matters, our global network, and our independent position make us a trusted point of reference for the international cotton trade. Bremen remains a place where knowledge, market expertise, and international cooperation come together,” he said.

A Bremen-based merchant and cotton expert, Grobien brings decades of international industry experience to the role. Throughout his career, he has served as President and Vice President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange as well as President of the International Cotton Association (ICA) in Liverpool. His work has contributed significantly to strengthening cooperation between Bremen and Liverpool, including the establishment of ICA Bremen GmbH, an international center for cotton testing, research, quality training, and certification.

The General Assembly also paid tribute to Honorary President Wolfgang Vogt Jordan, who is stepping down from active involvement after decades of service in various leadership positions within the organization.

Geopolitical challenges in focus

A keynote address by Dr. Tim Nesemann, Chairman of the Executive Board of Sparkasse Bremen, provided broader economic perspectives. He highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions, trade tariffs, disrupted supply chains, rising financing costs, and ongoing economic weakness in Germany and Europe.

Nesemann also pointed to growing risks associated with cybercrime, attacks on critical infrastructure, and increasing dependencies created by digitalization and artificial intelligence. At the same time, he identified opportunities arising from international trade agreements such as Mercosur, while warning of political polarization and the rise of extremist movements across Europe.

His conclusion was that organizations and economies capable of recognizing change early, taking responsibility, and acting decisively can emerge stronger from periods of crisis.

Leadership team confirmed

The newly elected Presidium and Board of the Bremen Cotton Exchange at a glance:

Presidium

• President: Fritz A. Grobien, Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG, Bremen (Germany)
  

• Vice President: Jean-Paul Haessig, Asian Cotton Traders Pte. Ltd., Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) / Singapore
  

• Vice President: Jens D. Lukaczik, Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen (Germany)
  

• Vice President: Stephanie Silber, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen (Germany)
  

Board

• Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz (Austria)
  

• Ernst Grimmelt, Velener Textil GmbH, Velen (Germany)
  

• Carl Illi, CWC Textil AG, Zurich (Switzerland)
  

• Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH & Co. KG, Rheine (Germany)
  

• Roland Stelzer, Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co., Bempflingen (Germany)
  

• Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen (Germany)
  

• Re-elected: Dr. Uwe Mazura, Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry, Berlin (Germany)

• Re-elected: Konrad Schröer, SETEX-Textil-GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden (Germany)
  

Advisory Board Member

• Manfred Kern, Austrian Textile Industry Association (VTI), Vienna (Austria)
  

The members of the Board and Presidium represent companies from across the entire cotton supply chain – from trading and processing to specialized service providers. This diversity provides the association with a broad network of expertise and access to valuable global information resources throughout the international cotton and textile industry.