Jan 25, 2023

Josef Fischer Retires From Syngenta Flowers

Syngenta Flowers announces that, following a successful 15-year career at Syngenta Flowers, Josef Fischer has left on Jan. 20. Fischer has contributed significantly to Syngenta’s Flowers Organization and continues to be liaised with the floriculture business as an independent consultant to deliver game-changing innovations.

Fischer’s career at Syngenta Flowers started in 2008, after the integration of Fischer group, famous for its pelargonium and poinsettia business with well-known varieties such as Tango. Fischer was the first to offer Xanthomonas-free varieties on the market, developed by the father of Josef. The technique developed at that time has brought pelargonium to the level of performance that it has today. Fischer had a strong breeding pipeline and Syngenta Flowers’ current pelargonium assortment still is the result of that heritage and of big value. Fischer was also one of the first to move URC production out of mainland Europe, to the Canary Islands in the early 1970s, benefiting from the climate to produce more cost-effectively.

Prior to his current role as global innovations manager, Fischer has fulfilled key roles as head of marketing flowers, head of technical product development and global asset manager for vegetative crops, delivering the basics for interspecific pelargonium and coordinating the development. In these roles, Fischer has helped the company navigate through significant change.

In his most recent role at Syngenta Flowers, Fischer helped bring structure to the innovation process and supported the Global Operations Team to think beyond the supply chain. Fischer has been the driver in the development of the well-known Xcarrier concept as well as OptiBoost, in collaboration with OptiCept and Prebona; two companies who deliver game changing technologies to our industry. OptiBoost is a vacuum infusion technology for treatment of cut flowers and cuttings technology and significantly extends the shelf life such as roses. Fischer will now continue his career in his mission to bring sustainable innovations to the industry.

Mark Schermer, head of flowers, is thankful for what Fischer has meant for the company and is happy to see him continue to contribute to the industry. “Josef Fischer is a unique character with great passion for the industry. He does not only leave a legacy behind but he will continue to inspire the innovation in our company with his staple question: “Why not!?” We wish Josef all the best in his future endeavors.”