20 years on course together

Twenty years is no small achievement in business. The partnership between Mankiewicz and Speedsailing has now been going strong since 2006. What began as a joint sailing event has grown into a long-standing tradition shaped by shared experiences, lasting relationships and mutual trust.

"You're the Only Ones"

For Martin Kringel of Speedsailing, two decades of collaboration are anything but ordinary. When asked whether such long-term partnerships are common in his industry, he doesn't hesitate.

"That would certainly be nice. But to be completely honest, you're the only company we've been working with continuously for two decades."

A moment later, he adds:

"You could almost say that without Mankiewicz, Speedsailing wouldn't quite be the same."

These are not the kind of statements you typically find in a press release. They are the result of a partnership that has grown steadily over many years.

What Has Endured Over the Years

When the two teams first met in 2006, Speedsailing knew very little about Mankiewicz. Today, that is very different.

"No matter who I talk to, we always end up having interesting conversations. That was true 20 years ago, and it's still true today. These are people who really know their business."

There is something else Martin Kringel finds just as remarkable.

"Over the years, your employees have repeatedly told us that Mankiewicz is a family-owned company. And that's exactly how it feels."

Coming from a long-standing partner, this observation carries particular weight. It is not a corporate message but an impression that has been confirmed time and again through years of working together.

Teamwork Comes to Life on the Water

Sailing depends on teamwork. Everyone has a role to play, decisions must be coordinated, and sometimes success comes down to timing. Every year, Mankiewicz employees experience this firsthand.

Over the past twenty years, the conditions have been just as varied as the crews themselves. Some years brought gale-force winds – conditions that Speedsailing now affectionately refers to as "Mankiewicz weather." This year, by contrast, Martin Kringel described the experience with a smile as "champagne sailing."

Whatever the weather, however, he notices the same pattern every time. By the second day of the event, the teams have changed noticeably.

"People understand what their role is. From that point on, it's all about timing. Watching that happen is incredibly rewarding for us."

For Martin Kringel, this is what makes the event so special: within a very short time, individuals become a crew.

More Than an Annual Event

Over the past twenty years, many Mankiewicz employees have taken part in the sailing events. For some, it was their first day ever on a sailing boat. Others have returned year after year. New colleagues gain their first experience while familiar faces come back.

What started as a single event has become a tradition – not because every year is the same, but because every event creates new shared memories.

For Stefanie Schmalz, this is why the long-standing partnership represents much more than a recurring event.

"We choose partners who share our values. Together. Simple. Better. – That's exactly what has worked so well with Speedsailing for many years."

Trust Takes Time

Twenty years cannot be planned. They are built through countless encounters, shared experiences and the confidence that a partnership will stand the test of time.

As Martin Kringel puts it at the end of the conversation:

"Every year, you look forward to coming back because you know the people you'll meet."

Sometimes a partnership begins with a day of sailing. That it turns into twenty years of shared direction is anything but a matter of course.