Carl Duhn represents the second generation of the family owned company and grew up with the natural stone business. After completing a dual degree in International Business Administration at HWR Berlin and a Master’s degree in Family Entrepreneurship at Zeppelin University, he first gained two years of experience in global strategic marketing at Bayer before joining BESCO in 2020. From 2022 onwards, he was responsible as Commercial Director for coordinating the key interfaces between Finance, HR, IT, Marketing and Sales. Together with Florian Geyer, he now forms the company’s operational leadership team.
His focus is on preserving the strengths established by the first generation while making BESCO more digital, sustainable and broadly positioned for the future. For Duhn, the company’s proven culture of collaboration remains at the centre of this development: “BESCO thrives on experts who understand their craft and have worked together successfully for many years. This mutual trust and the knowledge within our team are our greatest assets,” says Carl Duhn.
Managing Director Florian Geyer adds: “Carl Duhn has been closely connected to our company for many years and brings a fresh perspective on the topics that are crucial for BESCO’s future. Particularly in the areas of sustainability, digitalisation and organisational development, he will provide important impetus. I greatly look forward to shaping the company’s operational development together with him.”
Under the belgrano® brand, the Berlin based company specialises in project based solutions for public construction projects, supplying natural stone for the design of squares, pedestrian zones, parks, façades and interior surfaces.
Interview with Authorised Signatory Carl Duhn
What motivates you most about working at BESCO? Carl Duhn: BESCO is a family owned company now entering its second generation. I grew up with the natural stone business. What motivates me is helping to build a company with long term impact, together with a team I value, and with a product that people can experience in public spaces. The stone we deliver today will still shape a public space decades from now. That lasting quality is something I truly appreciate.
What priorities would you like to set for BESCO in the coming years? Carl Duhn: My priority is to lead this generational transition together with our team. Together with Florian Geyer, who has shaped the company since its beginnings and represents its operational leadership like few others, I want to guide BESCO step by step into its next phase. Florian brings decades of industry experience and an exceptional understanding of our customers, while I bring a strong focus on finance, processes and future oriented development. Our shared goal is to preserve the substance and trust built by the first generation while continuing to develop BESCO into a more digital, sustainable and broadly positioned company.
Which values are particularly important to you in your new leadership role? Carl Duhn: Above all, the team is what matters most to me. BESCO thrives on people who understand their craft and have worked together successfully for many years. This trust and shared knowledge are our greatest assets. My role is to create the conditions in which everyone can contribute their strengths and to build something sustainable together rather than focusing on short term optimisation.
How do you view the current development of the natural stone industry? Carl Duhn: I see a fundamental shift in perspective. Municipalities are increasingly looking at life cycle costs instead of upfront costs. A square that lasts 100 years ultimately delivers greater value than one that requires replacement after 25 years. At the same time, climate adaptation is making material selection a strategic decision. Heat, heavy rainfall and more frequent freeze thaw cycles is where hard natural stone really proves its value, as it absorbs very little water and therefore offers exceptional durability. Added to this are its circularity and reusability. Natural stone can be removed and reused without chemical transformation. What the industry needs to improve is how we communicate this value. We are often better at delivering than explaining. The value of natural stone speaks for itself; we simply need to communicate it more clearly, especially as sustainability documentation becomes increasingly important in tenders.
What makes BESCO and the belgrano® brand unique in the market? Carl Duhn: Focus. For many companies, natural stone is just one segment of their business. For us, it is our entire business. BESCO is one of the few dedicated natural stone specialists focusing exclusively on public projects. This means we are involved from the moment a square exists on paper, not only when it reaches the tender stage. With belgrano®, we combine international material diversity with German quality standards, which we secure through our own inspection team directly at production sites around the world. Our materials are already part of places such as Marienplatz in Munich and Uber Platz in Berlin, and they will continue to stand there for decades to come.
