Storz & Bickel Charts New Course as Co-Founder Steps Down

TUTTLINGEN, Germany – March 27, 2026 – A significant transition is underway at the pinnacle of the cannabis vaporization industry. Storz & Bickel, the German engineering powerhouse and a subsidiary of Canopy Growth, has announced that co-founder Jürgen Bickel will step down from his role as Managing Director. Effective April 1, 2026, the company's leadership will be passed to David Männer, a 14-year veteran of the firm, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the revered brand.

The transition represents a pivotal moment for a company that has not only defined but consistently elevated the standards for cannabis vaporization technology for over two decades. As Bickel prepares to move into a strategic advisory role, the industry watches to see how his handpicked successor will navigate a rapidly evolving global market while upholding a legacy built on uncompromising quality and medical-grade precision.

A Legacy of Precision and Innovation

To understand the significance of this leadership change, one must look at the foundation Jürgen Bickel built. Co-founding the company in 2001, Bickel, a certified civil engineer, brought a methodical, science-driven approach to an industry then in its infancy. Before pioneering vaporizer technology, he dedicated his career to developing clean water solutions in Peru, a background that instilled a deep-seated commitment to safety and public well-being.

This ethos became the cornerstone of Storz & Bickel. The company’s first product, the iconic VOLCANO tabletop vaporizer, set a new benchmark for performance and durability upon its launch in 2000. But it was the relentless pursuit of medical validation that truly set the company apart. In 2009, Storz & Bickel became the first cannabis vaporizer manufacturer in the world to achieve ISO 13485 certification, the rigorous international standard for medical device quality management systems. This achievement was not merely a commercial advantage; it was a crucial step in legitimizing vaporizers as a serious tool for medical cannabis delivery and cemented the brand's reputation for safety and reliability among patients and healthcare professionals worldwide.

Under Bickel's guidance, the company fostered a culture that he described as valuing discernment and appreciation over mere potency, akin to the connoisseurship found in the world of wine. This philosophy is evident in their string of innovations, which have garnered accolades including the prestigious Dr. Rudolf Eberle Prize for technical innovation.

Reflecting on his departure, Bickel expressed profound confidence in the company's future. “Storz & Bickel is the best in the world at what we do," he stated in the official announcement. "We have built a global leader, a standard, and a culture that will be modelled for years to come. This is my legacy and I am thrilled to entrust its next chapter to someone I have complete confidence will carry it successfully into the future. I’ll be following along and cheering on what comes next.”

The Insider's Ascent

The individual entrusted with this legacy is David Männer, who is far from an outsider. Having served as Deputy Managing Director, Männer brings 14 years of direct experience from within the company's walls. His promotion signifies a strategy of continuity, ensuring that the core principles of the brand remain intact while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Männer’s long tenure has provided him with an unparalleled understanding of the company's intricate operations, from product development and manufacturing in Tuttlingen—a region known as a global hub for medical technology—to global distribution and market strategy. He has been a key figure in the company's recent successes and is intimately familiar with the "culture of product excellence" that Bickel championed.

His appointment is a classic example of successful succession planning, promoting a leader who has absorbed the company's DNA and is prepared to evolve it. In his own words, Männer acknowledged the weight and opportunity of his new role. “Jürgen has built a culture of product excellence, a discipline around standards, and a passionate team," he said. "It is on this foundation that I am excited to apply what I’ve learned and write the next chapter.” This statement suggests a path of evolution rather than revolution, aiming to build upon the established strengths of the brand.

Navigating a Dynamic Market

Männer takes the helm at a time of explosive growth and intense competition in the cannabis vaporizer market. The global portable cannabis vaporizer market, valued at approximately $3.6 billion in 2025, is projected to surge to nearly $13 billion by 2035, driven by increasing legalization, a consumer shift towards healthier consumption methods, and rapid technological advancement.

Storz & Bickel holds a formidable position with an approximate 18% share of this market. However, it faces a crowded field of competitors, including major players like Pax Labs, DaVinci Vaporizer, and Grenco Science. To maintain its edge, the company has continued to innovate. Recent releases include the VENTY, a portable device lauded for its unprecedented airflow control and 20-second heat-up time, and the Veazy, a more accessible model designed to attract a wider consumer base without sacrificing the brand's commitment to safety standards like ULSE 8139.

The broader market is pushing towards next-generation technology, including hybrid heating systems, IoT-enabled "smart" vaporizers offering personalized dosage, and enhanced battery life. Storz & Bickel's future success under Männer will depend on its ability to continue leading this technological race while balancing its reputation for durable, medically-sound engineering with the fast-paced demands of the consumer tech landscape.

The Strategic Pillar in Canopy's U.S. Gambit

This leadership transition is not just an internal affair for the German manufacturer; it is a key strategic move for its parent company, Canopy Growth. Luc Mongeau, CEO of Canopy Growth, emphasized the clear path forward: “deepening our presence in the U.S. and pushing the pace of innovation.” He identified Männer as “exactly the right person to accelerate what's been built and take Storz to its next level of growth.”

Canopy Growth is aggressively pursuing the lucrative U.S. cannabis market through its unique Canopy USA structure, which holds interests in American assets like Acreage Holdings and Wana Brands. Having recently shifted to an "asset-light" model that prioritizes high-value brands over costly cultivation facilities, Canopy is leaning heavily on its strongest portfolio members. Storz & Bickel, with its premium positioning and global recognition, is arguably one of its most critical assets in this strategy.

The brand's medical-grade credentials and ISO 13485 certification provide a powerful differentiator in a U.S. market that is steadily maturing. As federal regulations evolve and consumers become more discerning about safety and quality, Storz & Bickel's long-standing commitment to medical standards could become an even greater competitive advantage. The company's devices offer a pathway for Canopy Growth to establish a strong presence in both the medical and high-end recreational segments across the United States. Männer's deep operational expertise is seen as crucial for scaling production and innovation to meet the anticipated demand as Canopy Growth executes its ambitious North American expansion.

With a seasoned insider at the helm, Storz & Bickel is poised to leverage its legacy of engineering excellence to not only defend its market leadership but also to serve as a crucial engine for its parent company's future growth. The next chapter for the vaporizer pioneer will be defined by how effectively it can innovate for a new generation of consumers while upholding the exacting standards that made it a global icon.