The Supervisory Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG has appointed Andreas Schmitz (48) as the new Chairman of the Management Board, effective from 01 April 2016. He will take on the role at the turn of the fiscal year, within the framework of the planned age-related succession for Ulrich Schümer. Andreas Schmitz assumes responsibility as Chairman of the Management Board for the departmental divisions Corporate Strategy, Public Relations, Emerging Markets, Schmitz Cargobull Wuhan (China) and Value Added Services. Ulrich Schümer will continue to serve the company as Chief Representative until mid-December 2016 in an advisory capacity, and for special assignments. With the appointment of Andreas Schmitz, a member of one of the owner families will once again head the European market leader for trailers and commercial vehicle bodies.
Also from 1 April 2016, Boris Billich (with the company since 1 January 2016) will take over the board division of Sales from Ulrich Schöpker within the framework of planned age-related succession. Ulrich Schöpker will also remain at the disposal of the company as Chief Representative for special assignments until mid-December 2016.
"This completes the long-planned generational change in the Management Board, and Schmitz Cargobull will continue to have a solid basis for a secure future as the market leader in Europe. The new Management Board combines continuity and experience with the creative power of a younger generation. We are especially pleased that through Andreas Schmitz, a great-grandson of the founder will now head the company as Chairman of the Management Board," reveals Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kluge, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG.
The outgoing Chairman of the Management Board, Ulrich Schümer, has actively helped shape the generational change. He has worked in the company for more than 30 years in a managerial capacity. "With his successful work, Ulrich Schümer rendered meritorious service and set the course for Schmitz Cargobull," affirms Prof. Dr Kluge.
Ulrich Schöpker has worked for Schmitz Cargobull since 1976 in a managerial capacity and, with 40 years of service, is a veteran in the company. He was appointed to the Management Board in 1998, and was responsible for Sales for the Western Europe region, as well as marketing. "Without Ulrich Schöpker's broad commitment, the winning path to European market leadership for semi-trailers would not have been possible," Prof. Dr. Kluge, points out.
Source:
Schmitz Cargobull AG
