"I'm really looking forward to my new role," says Dr. Johannes Schmalz, who will take on the role of Managing Partner with immediate effect. "I've known the company since I was a child and am full of anticipation and confidence to actively shape the future of the company myself." Together with his father Dr. Kurt Schmalz and Andreas Beutel, the 39-year-old will form a three-person management team in future.
Responsibility for IT, digitalization, new business and strategy
Dr. Johannes Schmalz most recently worked as an internationally responsible manager in the field of digitalization at a large global family-owned company in the electronics industry, according to the press release. He also has expertise in IT, robotics and strategy. He is also the founder and shareholder of a technology start-up.
Dr Johannes Schmalz will be responsible for IT and digitalization, new business and corporate strategy. The 39-year-old upholds the company's values, which have shaped the corporate culture for decades: "Despite all the economic and technological interests: The focus must always be on people."
Father sees long-term security for the company
For Dr. Kurt Schmalz, who himself joined the company 45 years ago, his son's entry has a special significance: "I have put my heart and soul into the company my entire professional life and built it up together with my brother Wolfgang," says Dr. Kurt Schmalz. "I will be 70 years old this year. I am particularly pleased that Johannes has joined the company to ensure the long-term stability of Schmalz as a family business."
To kick things off, Dr. Johannes Schmalz went on a welcome tour of the company premises. There, the new member of the Management Board went through the various departments and was warmly welcomed by the Group's 1,800 employees - in person at the Glatten site and via video by the employees at the global sites. As a small inaugural gift, the doctor of engineering brought chocolates with the company logo for all employees to ensure a sufficient supply of chocolate, as he noted with a wink.