He oversees Problem Support.
Redefin State Stud Undergoes Management Change and Privatization Examination
The Redefin State Stud, a historic equine ensemble in Germany, has recently undergone a change in management. Matthias Munz from Lübtheen has taken charge as interim manager, tasked with steering the stud towards a new direction.
The state cabinet is currently examining a new operator model for Redefin, where the state would retain ownership of the historical ensemble but relinquish operational control. This move is aimed at addressing the stud's financial challenges and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
However, the implementation of a new future plan, announced at the end of last year, has been postponed once again. Over the past 20 years, the state has commissioned four different future concepts for the Redefin State Stud at a total cost of around 75,000 euros, but so far, none have yielded successful results. The fifth report by interim chief Munz is set to cost 25,000 euros.
The previous managing director was unable to continue due to health reasons. Munz, who has been advising the stud on a strategic realignment in recent months, is one of five consultants commissioned by the state to get the Redefin State Stud back on track with a new concept.
The state subsidizes annual losses of 1.8 million euros, primarily in the loss-making core areas such as the riding and driving school, the stud farm, and the stallion holding and sales. Despite these substantial subsidies, there has been controversy over the continued operation of the Redefin State Stud under state control.
The Federation of Taxpayers has demanded the sale of the stud due to the multi-million euro subsidies. However, according to Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus, a sale of the Redefin State Stud ensemble is not up for debate. The transfer of the stud to interim management is part of a planned realignment of the state-owned enterprise, as announced by Minister Backhaus.
The goal is to establish the stud economically stable and preserve it as a cultural asset of public interest. The Ministry of Agriculture will start an appropriate selection procedure for a new operator of the Redefin State Stud by the end of this month. The new operator is not expected until mid-2026.
The harsh criticism in the horse community over the continued operation of the Redefin State Stud under state control and its high subsidy requirement persists. Despite this, the Agriculture Minister remains committed to ensuring the stud's long-term sustainability and cultural significance.
Finance and politics intertwine in the management change and privatization examination of Redefin State Stud, a historic equine ensemble in Germany. The state's examination of a new operator model, where the state retains ownership but relinquishes operational control, is aimed at addressing the stud's financial challenges and ensuring its long-term sustainability. The Federation of Taxpayers, advocates for business policy-and-legislation, has demanded the sale of the stud due to the multi-million euro subsidies, while the Agriculture Minister stresses the importance of maintaining the stud as a general-news cultural asset of public interest.
