Wickert announces family succession to leadership team

Landau, Germany – Wickert Maschinenbau has appointed Stephanie Wickert to its the management team as managing director, the German machinery maker announced 29 Nov.

The appointment of Stephanie Wickert, great-granddaughter of company founder Jakob Wickert, became effective on 1 Sept, since when she has headed the company alongside Stefan Herzinger.

Meanwhile, after 46 years as managing director, her father Hans-Joachim has relinquished his operational management duties and joined the advisory board.

Under the transition, Stephanie Wickert, who is currently responsible for HR, marketing and corporate development, will gradually assume all commercial responsibilities of the management board – including purchasing, accounting, controlling and IT.

Stefan Herzinger, who has assumed responsibility for technical management from Hans-Joachim Wickert in addition to his sales responsibility, “will remain in charge of these areas for now,” stated Wickert.

Wickert Maschinenbau is doing extremely well economically at the time of the generation change. Hans-Joachim Wickert feels strongly that the company is in a solid position: "We constantly monitor what is happening in the market and continue to develop our products. This way, we succeed in combining stability and growth. Thanks to our highly skilled technicians and engineers, I have confidence that we will continue to be successful well into the future."

According to the statement, Stephanie Wickert is to focus the company, which was founded in 1901, “more intensely than before” on future technologies, such as production of fuel cells, new thermal insulation materials and semiconductors.

"An entire series of successful projects in these industries demonstrates that we have the ability to implement efficient manufacturing solutions for an array of different customers with our press systems," she explained.

Wickert’s new managing director also aims to emphasise digital marketing and HR development, saying: "Alongside economic issues, social responsibility is close to my heart – towards our staff, society and my home region in Germany's Southern Palatinate.

“This is why my goal is to continue our family business as a successful and sustainable enterprise so that I too can pass it on to future generations."

With a background in banking, Stephanie Wickert holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in sustainable marketing and leadership. Following roles abroad, she has been employed in the family business since 2018, serving as marketing manager until the end of August.

With about 200 employees and sales of around € 45 million, Wickert produces automated hydraulic press equipment for processing elastomers, composites, plastics and powders into products such as pharma sealing plugs, automotive brake parts, and bi-polar plates for fuel cells.