ABOUT TANK & RAST
As a leading service provider along German motorways, we enable mobility for all. Our services are used by millions of guests. This comes with a great responsibility: as host, partner, employer and company.
At Tank & Rast, we operate with a long-term, sustainable perspective. With a view to changing social requirements and changing demand, we invest in the further development of mobility along the motorways: We offer travellers a state-of-the-art e-charging network, high-quality sanitary facilities, modern filling stations and contemporary catering concepts. These and other successful initiatives are evidence of our drive to keep improving through innovation.
OUR INVESTMENT IN A MOBILE SOCIETY
Since its privatisation in 1998, Tank & Rast has continuously invested more than 1.7 billion euros in its motorway filling stations and service areas. As part of this modernisation course, many of our locations have been renewed and the range of services at the motorway service areas has been significantly expanded.
Today, we are already adressing the mobility of the future. As a modern infrastructure service provider, Tank & Rast is also a key player in the topic of electric mobility in Germany and is actively shaping the transition. We have been investing significantly in the expansion of electric mobility since 2014 and today maintain the largest long-distance fast charging network on the motorway in Germany. By enabling long-distance journeys, we are making a significant contribution to the acceptance of electric vehicles and are thus advancing to the breakthrough of electric mobility in Germany. Further information on the topic of electric mobility in the Tank & Rast service network can be found here.
Tank & Rast plays a pioneering role in the digital transformation of services along the motorways. We use the opportunities of digitalisation to continuously develop our service offerings to the benefit of our guests and to make the work of our employees easier. For example, we offer our customers digital payment systems such as Apple Pay. Internally, we use apps to optimise the logistical processes in our operations.
OUR BUSINESS AREAS
The business areas of Tank & Rast include service areas, filling stations, self operated sites, off-motorway service areas (Autohöfe) and hotels. We lease the network of filling stations and service areas mainly to medium-sized franchise partners within the framework of a franchise system. This enables us to provide the same high standards of service and quality at all our locations.
- MOTORWAY SERVICE AREAS
In more than 400 service areas, Tank & Rast provides an attractive range of catering and excellent service along German motorways.
- SELF OPERATED SITES
Tank & Rast operates its own service areas at several locations. Here, we test new concepts and gather experience in ongoing operations in order to continuously improve the services offered to our guests.
- HOTELS
Tank & Rast currently offers accommodation in around 50 hotels along the motorways in Germany.
- ELECTROMOBILITY
Tank & Rast already offers its customers a charging infrastructure suitable for long-distance travel and makes a significant contribution to the acceptance of electric mobility in Germany.
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FILLING STATIONS
The filling station segment currently comprises some 360 stations managed by franchise partners. In addition to fuel, diesel and gas, the stations feature modern retail shops, coffee bars and a variety of snacks. Travellers will find modern, hygienic SANIFAIR sanitary facilities at nearly all of the motorway filling stations in the Tank & Rast network.
- OFF-MOTORWAY SERVICE AREAS – AUTOHÖFE
In addition to our many service areas situated directly on the motorway, Tank & Rast also operates off motorway service areas located in the immediate vicinity of the motorway. The footprint of Tank & Rast thus also extends beyond the motorway.
MANAGEMENT
- Since 2021 CEO
- 2017-2020 Deputy CEO
- 2008 – 2017 Managing Director – Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO), Autobahn Tank & Rast
- 2005-2008 Chief Representative of Autobahn Tank & Rast
- 2001-2005 Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs of Autobahn Tank & Rast
- 1999-2001 Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing, Berlin: Head of Communication and Member of the Management Staff of the Federal Minister; previously: Personal Assistant to the Federal Minister
- 1997-1999 State Chancellery of the Saarland, Parliament of the Saarland
- Previously studied German language and literature and political science in Saarbrücken, Berlin and Dublin
Other activities:
- Pro Mobilität – Initiative für Verkehrsinfrastruktur e.V., Vice-President
- Managerkreis of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Member of the Steering Committee
- Saarland Ambassador
- since 01.10.2020 Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Autobahn Tank & Rast
- 2015-2020 Vapiano SE: CFO
- 2003-2015 Deutsche Lufthansa AG: Various management positions (most recently CFO Europe of LSG Sky Chefs in London)
- 2000-2003 IR.on AG: Vounder and member of the board
- 1998-2000 Mannesmann AG: Manager Corporate Finance
- 1994-1997 Commerzbank AG: Trainee Programm
- Vocational training as a banker and study of business administration at the University of Bayreuth and Johannesburg
- since 15.02.2021 Chief Operation Officer (COO), Autobahn Tank & Rast
- 2018-2021 Gerry Weber International AG: Executive Vice President Retail
- 2012-2018 Ernstings Family GmbH & Co KG: Head of Sales/Division Manager Sales
- 2008-2012 Wicky Group: Operational Management
- 1999-2008 Kaufhof Warenhaus AG: various management positions
- 1996-1999 Kaufhof Warenhaus AG: Trainee Programme
- Vocational training as a retail salesperson
- since 2021 Chairman
- 2001-2020 CEO
- 1998-2000 Elf France (TotalFinaElf), Paris: Director for motorway operations as well as large petrol stations
- 1991-1998 Elf Germany, Düsseldorf and Berlin: last position: Director of the Retail and Restaurant Division; before that: Head of staff departments (legal, strategy, internal audit, etc.)
- 1986-1990 Assistant and expert in the field of energy economics, University of Münster
- Before that, studies in Münster and Lausanne, state law examinations, doctorate in European business law, Ecole Supérieur des Cadres (Elf Paris)
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Tank & Rast is a sponsor of Help – Helping People to Help Themselves. The organisation has been providing sustainable and long-term support to people in need worldwide since 1981. Find out more about Help. We also cooperate with “IN FORM – Germany’s initiative for healthy nutrition and exercise” and the “German Nutrition Society” (DGE). Together we advocate for a balanced and healthy diet on the motorway. You can find more information here. In addition, we and our franchise partners also support various local social projects or individual projects aimed at strengthening social interaction.
SUSTAINABILITY
We want to remain successful in the long term. Therefore, sustainable entrepreneurial action is important to us. This applies to the expansion of our service stations as well as to our catering and our commitment to electric mobility.
In terms of environmental sustainability, Tank & Rast reduces water and electricity consumption in all its operations and implements measures to improve the carbon footprint. At SANIFAIR, we use energy and water-saving technologies such as waterless urinals, sensor touch flushes and taps, thus reducing water consumption in our operations. In addition, biodegradable cleaning and consumable materials reduce our ecological footprint.
As a pilot project and for the first time, the Fürholzen-West service area has a heat and power generation concept in accordance with the Energy Plus Standard. In addition, the service station can supply itself with clean energy with the help of approx. 7,200 square metres of photovoltaic surface and a combined heat and power plant. Incidentally, the site is the first service station building in Germany to receive the “climate positive” award.
MID TIR
We actively promote small and medium-sized businesses as the backbone of our economy and an important employer. This is why Tank & Rast is a partner company in the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW).
HISTORY
OUR PATH TO BECOMING A MODERN SERVICE PROVIDER
Founded as a federally owned company, the company was privatised in the 1990s and has since developed into the leading service provider along the motorway.
- 1951
Founding of the federally owned Gesellschaft für Nebenbetriebe (GfN). - 1994
Autobahn Tank & Rast is formed from GfN and OATG (Ostdeutsche Autobahntankstellengesellschaft mbH). - 1998
Privatisation of Tank & Rast. The federal government sells its shares to a consortium of private buyers. - 2001
Start of the consistent modernisation course of the motorway service areas. - 2003
Introduction of the SANIFAIR sanitation concept. - 2004
Serways becomes the new service brand, the first test location is Ohligser Heide Ost on the A3. In the same year, the British investment company Terra Firma takes over the company. - 2007
The 100th Serways operation opens on the A6 at the Frankenhöhe Nord location.
Deutsche Bank subsidiary RREEF acquires a 50 percent stake in Tank & Rast. - 2008
To mark the 10th anniversary of privatisation, Tank & Rast focuses on service and celebrates the German Service Day initiative with the aim of strengthening service orientation in Germany.
SANIFAIR receives the “Best Public Toilet” award from the independent S.W.I. Institute. - 2009
The particularly family-friendly “Serways KiDS” brand is introduced along the main travel routes.
- 2010
SANIFAIR is Brand of the Century and thus belongs to the top group of outstanding products and services from Germany. The new SANIFAIR is launched with a significantly improved scope of services. - 2011
Tank & Rast expands its business with the first Autohof in Rheda-Wiedenbrück.
The EssBar, a concept that reinterprets traditional dishes and combines them with modern flavours, starts at the Riedener Wald service area on the A7. - 2012
Tank & Rast service stations come out as the best in Germany and at the top in Europe in the ADAC’s Europe-wide test of service stations in 2012. The best German service station is Tank & Rast’s service station Irschenberg Süd on the A8. - 2013
The modern restaurant concept Serways Restaurant is introduced at the Siegburg West service area on the A3. - 2014
The 200th Serways facility opens on the A6 at the Kraichgau Süd location. - 2015
A consortium of German and international infrastructure investors acquires Tank & Rast. Currently the consortium is composed of Allianz Capital Partners GmbH (ACP), Omers Infrastructure, MEAG (asset manager of Munich Re), China Investment Corporation (CIC). - 2017
Launch of a franchise system with medium-sized partners.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
OUR CONTRIBUTION
As a company, we see ourselves as part of society. This is why we strive to conduct our business responsibly in all areas: In the economic environment, towards our employees, in dealing with resources and the millions of people on the roads in Germany every day.
ROAD SAFETY
As a leading mobility service provider along the motorways, road safety is particularly important to us. We are committed to improving safety on Germany’s roads and actively support a range of initiatives geared towards this: