Once again this year, we marked the start of the pre-Christmas season with a cherished tradition: our annual year-end barbecue. On December 16, after the workday had ended, colleagues from Mannheim gathered on the terrace of our headquarters to wind down the year together in a relaxed atmosphere.

With bratwurst—classic, spicy, or vegetarian—fresh rolls, mulled wine, punch, and cold drinks, the focus was not on the calendar but on being together. After an intense year filled with numerous projects and major assignments, the evening provided just the right setting to pause for a moment, look back, and take a collective breath.

Especially during the often hectic Christmas season, this moment of coming together is something special. Most of the year’s milestones have been reached, while the next major chapter, PSI, is already on the horizon. All the more reason to consciously use this phase for exchange, conversations, and relaxed time together.

The year-end barbecue has long been more than just a shared meal: it stands for team spirit, unity, and appreciation for everyone whose commitment has shaped the year. A cozy evening that once again highlighted how important shared moments away from daily business are—and one that marked the transition into the final stretch of the year in a festive, pre-Christmas mood.