Changes in Board of Management reflect generation change and streamlining of organization within the framework of “SGL2015”
Dr. Jürgen Köhler to assume the role of CEO from January 1, 2014, succeeding Robert Koehler, who is retiring from the company at the age of 65
Board of Management streamlined to three members – structural adjustment within the framework of the Group-wide cost savings program “SGL2015”
Timely implementation of generation change – strategy to be consistently developed further
Wiesbaden, November 25, 2013. SGL Group – The Carbon Company – will implement the change in the Group’s top management as of January 1, 2014. On this date, Robert Koehler, who will reach the age of 65 in January 2014, will hand over his position as CEO of SGL Carbon SE to his colleague on the Board of Management Dr. Jürgen Köhler and will leave the company. Robert Koehler has represented and shaped the Company in this role for over 20 years, making him the longest-serving CEO among listed companies in the main German stock market indices. During this period, he played a key role in the Company’s foundation in 1992 and the spin-off of SGL Carbon from Hoechst AG by way of an IPO.
The change in SGL Group’s top management was prepared timely and by mutual consent within the relevant Supervisory Board and Board of Management committees and was resolved at today’s meeting of the Supervisory Board and is characterized by a generation change in SGL Group’s top management. Dr. Köhler (born in 1960) has been working for SGL Group in various management positions in the two Business Areas Performance Products and Carbon Fibers & Composites since 2002, and has been a full member of the Board of Management since June 1, 2013. Dr. Köhler, who has a PhD in process engineering, began his career in 1992 at Hoechst AG and worked there and at Celanese AG for more than ten years in total, of which he spent almost five years in the U.S. He is married and has three children. This decision stands for continuity and systematic implementation of the measures that have already been initiated to further develop the strategy and strengthen the profitability of SGL Group.
Susanne Klatten, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of SGL Carbon SE: “Thanks to the timely preparation, we have succeeded in implementing the transition in SGL Carbon’s top management in close mutual agreement in the interests of all parties involved and above all in the interests of the Company. The new CEO Dr. Jürgen Köhler knows the Company very well and is already coordinating the implementation of the “SGL2015” cost savings program. This ensures that the already initiated strategic development of the Company will be implemented consistently. Robert Koehler’s age-related retirement marks the end of an era for SGL Group. He has been shaping the Company for over two decades. During this time he has turned it into one of the world’s leading technology companies. For this achievement he deserves all our thanks and respect. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I wish him all the best for the future.”
In addition to Dr. Jürgen Köhler assuming the position of CEO, the current Board of Management member Armin Bruch will by mutual agreement resign and leave the company at the end of the year. Armin Bruch, who turned 60 this year, has worked in various management positions within the Group since 2001 and has been a member of the Board of Management since October 2008. His responsibilities on the Board of Management will be divided among the remaining board members. As announced in March 2013, Theodore H. Breyer left the Board of Management as of October 31, 2013 at the age of 65.
After these changes are implemented, the Board of Management of SGL Carbon SE will consist of three members from January 1, 2014: Dr. Jürgen Köhler (CEO), Jürgen Muth (CFO) and Dr. Gerd Wingefeld.
About SGL Group – The Carbon Company
SGL Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products and materials. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group’s core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group’s carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as very good electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to industrialization in the growth regions of Asia and Latin America and increased substitution of traditional with innovative materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group’s high-performance materials and products. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive and chemical industries as well as in the semiconductor, solar and LED sectors and in lithium-ion batteries. Carbon-based materials and products are also being used increasingly in the wind power, aerospace and defense industries.
With 45 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence. In 2012, the Company’s workforce of around 6,700 employees generated sales of €1,709 million. The Company’s head office is located in Wiesbaden.
Further information on the SGL Group can be found online at: www.sglgroup.com
Important note:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on the information currently available to us and on our current projections and assumptions. By nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as a consequence of which actual developments and results can deviate significantly from these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not to be understood as guarantees. Rather, future developments and results depend on a number of factors; they entail various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate. These risks and uncertainties include, for example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic, legal, and business conditions, particularly relating to our main customer industries, such as electric steel production, to the competitive environment, to interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, to technological developments, and to other risks and unanticipated circumstances. Other risks that in our opinion may arise include price developments, unexpected developments connected with acquisitions and subsidiaries, and unforeseen risks associated with ongoing cost savings programs. SGL Group does not intend or assume any responsibility to revise or otherwise update these forward-looking statements.
Press Contact:
Corporate Communications / Rachel Wei
Phone +86 21 60976934 / Fax +86 21 5211 0155 / Mobile +86 138 1634 3570
E-mail: rachel.wei@sglcarbon.com.cn / www.sglgroup.com.cn
EMG China / Lani Zhang
Phone +86 21 5887 8007 - 136/ Fax +86 21 5887 8338 / Mobile +86 138 1603 6905
E-mail: lnzhang@emgchina.com