New perspectives

Since July 1, 2025, Heiko Kraus has been Head of Global Product Development for sugarbeet and cereals. The graduate in business management hails from Southern Lower Saxony and runs a farm with his family. Heiko joined KWS in 2015, initially in Controlling before becoming Head of Global Breeding & Research Services in 2018. In his new role, Heiko succeeds Harold Verstegen, who will serve as Strategic Program Lead going forward.

“Sugarbeet and cereals are very different in terms of product development – that’s what makes my new task so exciting. With sugarbeet, you need to combine many innovations in one crop, while with cereals, we want to push ahead with the hybridization of wheat and barley and broaden the portfolio. Examples of this are short rye and flexible varieties, which can be sown in the fall as well as in the spring,” he says. Heiko pays particular attention to economic efficiency: “Right from the start, it’s vital to consider the marketability of our varieties while also keeping an eye on production costs.” Further digitalization is also important. “Tools and software that can be used across crops offer great advantages over stand-alone solutions.”

In some sense, he retains his ties to his previous area of responsibility: “A generational change is taking place at the breeding stations. I’m delighted to be able to keep on accompanying this development – albeit now from a new perspective.”

Mira Metz: Focus on people and stations

Mira Metz also has a new perspective: On October 1, 2025, she succeeded Heiko Kraus as Head of Global Breeding & Research Services. The graduate in psychology has worked in Human Resources at KWS since 2021 and contributes experience from large companies, start-ups and international cooperation, which she can put to good use in her new operational role. “In my previous capacity as Team Leader of HR Business Partners for Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe and Asia, I already had a lot of contact with the breeding stations in my region,” says Mira. In her new task, she appreciates the responsibility that the global network of breeding stations has: “The stations are an integral part of product development.”

The corporate culture is particularly important to her. “Everyone is passionate about their topics and supports each other.” Aspects dear to her heart are to bring the people at the breeding stations on board with her as part of the continuous change processes and to pass on existing know-how to the next generation. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take on this responsible role – and I’m delighted to have Heiko as my supervisor. He supports me and I trust him implicitly.” |