Theo Eckel, youngest son of Dr Antje Eckel, has assumed
expanded responsibility for purchasing at Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition. Drawing
on experience in production, purchasing and customer support, he will now be
shaping procurement strategy, supplier management and process optimisation,
thereby contributing to security of supply, efficiency and the company’s
long-term development.
Since 1 April 2026, Theo Eckel has stepped into a new position at Dr. Eckel, taking charge of procurement. His responsibilities include the strategic and operational purchasing of goods and services, with a focus on ensuring availability, maintaining quality standards and further strengthening efficient procurement structures.
Theo Eckel joined Dr. Eckel full-time in 2020. With a background in agriculture and further training as an IHK Business Administrator, he combines practical industry knowledge with economic expertise. Having practically grown up in the family business, he also brings a deep understanding of the company’s structures, workflows and values.
Over the past years, Theo Eckel has gained experience in several key areas of the company. He began in production, moved into purchasing and later worked in customer support. After returning to the purchasing team in 2024, he took on particular responsibility for pricing. His broad perspective across functions now provides a strong foundation for his expanded responsibilities.
In his new role, Theo Eckel will focus on developing procurement strategies, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships and further optimising and digitalising purchasing activities. The step reflects Dr. Eckel’s commitment to continuity, clear responsibility and the active involvement of the next generation.
“I am very much looking forward to helping shape Dr. Eckel’s transition into the next generation. I have worked in different areas of the company over the past years, so I know how important close collaboration, reliable processes and a strong team are for long-term success,” says Theo Eckel.
With this step, Dr. Eckel underlines its long-term stability and its commitment to further developing the company together with customers and partners worldwide.
ABOUT DR. ECKEL
Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition is all about innovative feed additives made in Germany. The value-orientated family business was founded by Dr Antje Eckel in Niederzissen / Germany in 1994, where it is still firmly established. With Dr Viktor Eckel, the next generation has now joined the management team.
The company has gained international success with Dr. Eckel ranking among the world’s leading companies in the sector with a specific focus on animal welfare, developing products that make animal nutrition more resource-efficient, climate-friendly and healthy. This is how Dr. Eckel contributes to sustainable global nutrition.
Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition represents excellence, innovation and responsibility towards people, animals and the environment. The products combine innovation and quality, which is what sets Dr. Eckel apart. Customers value the solutions for profitable animal nutrition. These promote animal welfare and enable customers to achieve sustainable, long-term success. To this end, the multinational team of experts conducts research and works with specialists from around 20 different countries. This is but one of the reasons why Dr. Eckel was identified as a hidden champion by the Forschungszentrum Mittelstand (FZM), a research institute for the German Mittelstand at the University of Trier.
Every year, Dr. Eckel invests more than 10 per cent of its revenue in innovation projects for customers, partners and employees. These consist of new products, consolidating digital infrastructure and sustainability projects such as replacing the current company fleet with electric vehicles, among others. This commitment is paying off, as evidenced by various awards, including Leading Employer, TOP 100 innovator, ‘Top Arbeitgeber im Mittelstand’ (Top ‘Mittelstand’ Employer) by FOCUS magazine and the ‘Innovative through Research’ seal of approval.