From the Sector

RadiciGroup announced the appointment of Stefano Pigozzi to the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA, the parent company overseeing all the Group's business activities in the chemicals, engineering polymers and advanced textile solutions sectors.
 
A professional with proven experience in the chemical industry, Mr. Pigozzi will complement the Board with his strategic vision acquired in international organizations.
 
Stefano Pigozzi graduated from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland with a degree in Business Administration and started his work experience in the finance division of BASF in the late 1980s. Since then, chemistry has remained at the centre of his career: over the years, he has held marketing and sales positions of increasing responsibility in various business sectors (plastics and inorganics), moving up to more strategic and managerial roles within BASF, including president of the Monomers Division and, most recently, head of the Group Global Purchasing Division at the Ludwigshafen headquarters.
 
During his more than 30-year career at BASF, Mr. Pigozzi has consistently demonstrated his leadership capability, his financial analysis skills and his dedication to corporate business success. He has also contributed significantly to the positioning of BASF as a global leader in the chemical industry.
 
Mr. Pigozzi’s appointment to the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni is aimed at strengthening RadiciGroup's presence in the market and helping to guide the company towards new goals.

Haelixa, a provider of physical traceability solutions, announceed the appointment of a new CEO, Patrick Strumpf, and the addition of Stefan Karlen to the Board of Directors. These positions shall mark a significant step in Haelixa’s mission to advance the growth of supply chain transparency solutions and drive positive change in the industry.

Patrick Strumpf joins Haelixa as its new CEO; he has over 20 years of experience building and scaling up businesses. Thanks to his strong entrepreneurial background, he has excelled in various manufacturing, distribution, and retail roles. Strumpf’s proven leadership, commercial acumen and strong customer focus will ensure the company keeps pushing its boundaries and attains even greater heights of success. “I am excited about the Haelixa traceability solution. It sets the highest standards and delivers outstanding advantages to brands and manufacturers who position themselves as innovation leaders, especially regarding compliance and credibility issues.”

Stefan Karlen joins Haelixa’s Board of Directors; he brings over 30 years of experience in the supply chain industry, having served as the Group CEO of Panalpina, one of the world’s leading freight forwarding and logistics companies. With his deep understanding of global supply chains and expertise in building solid teams, Karlen will provide valuable insights to Haelixa’s Board of Directors. His track record of driving innovation is instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction. “I am passionate about environmental responsibility and bringing positive change”, said Karlen. He added, “I identify with Haelixa’s values and am excited to leverage my skills to a company that prioritises sustainability and integrity.”

Michael Rabbe ist seit dem 1. Januar 2024 Geschäftsführer der Epson Deutschland GmbH. Der 49-Jährige leitete zuvor als Country Manager den Vertrieb aller Geschäftsbereiche des Unternehmens mit Sitz in Düsseldorf. Rabbe übernimmt die Nachfolge von Henning Ohlsson, der nach über 20-jähriger Geschäftsführertätigkeit bei Epson in den Ruhestand geht. Die deutsche Niederlassung des japanischen Technologieunternehmens beschäftigt rund 300 Mitarbeitende. Die Epson Deutschland GmbH umfasst die Vertriebsgebiete Deutschland, Österreich und die Schweiz.

Rabbe begann seine Epson-Laufbahn vor 15 Jahren als Vertriebsleiter Business Systems. 2016 übernahm er als Head of Business Sales die Leitung des Corporate-Endkundenteams sowie des Fachhandelsvertriebs für Epson Business Drucker, Scanner und Projektionslösungen. In dieser Funktion legte er die Basis für die erfolgreiche Platzierung energieeffizienter Epson Business-Tintenstrahldrucker in Büros als Alternative zum Laserdrucker.

Seit dem 1. Januar 2024 hat Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner (W&P) Unterstützung: Manuel Farrokh startete ab 01.01.2024 als Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung und Leiter des Bereiches Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle am Standort Düsseldorf. Spezialisiert auf die Beratung von Familienunternehmen, verstärkt W&P damit im Bereich Konsumgüter & Handel seine Branchenkompetenz für Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle.

Manuel Farrokh startete seine berufliche Karriere bei C. Hahne Mühlenwerke, gefolgt von Positionen im Peek & Cloppenburg-Konzern als Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung sowie als Geschäftsleiter in der Unternehmenszentrale bei SinnLeffers. Nach Station bei Rölfs Partner im Competence Center Restrukturierung war er freiberuflich als Interim Manager in Linienfunktionen, Berater und CRO tätig, u.a. für van Laack, Reno, MarcCain. Sein Fokus: Turnaround/Restrukturierung, Vertrieb (Retail/Wholesale/Online), Personalmanagement, Retail Excellence, Kostensenkung und Ertragssteigerung

The long-time sales manager is leaving the company at the end of this year. Frank Neumann joined Dibella in 1999 as a sales representative in the field service and was most recently responsible as sales manager for the areas of northern Germany and Berlin, as well as for exports, particularly for Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. He played a leading role in developing cruise companies as a new customer base for Dibella.

In addition, he was one of the co-founders of MaxTex, an international association that aims to ensure sustainable trade along the entire value chain, together with the then Dibella Managing Director Ralf Hellmann.

As an authorised signatory and member of the management board, Frank Neumann made a significant contribution to the company's success. "With Frank Neumann, we are saying goodbye to a valued colleague and proven expert. We would like to thank Mr Neumann for his extraordinary commitment to Dibella and wish him all the best for the future," says Stefan Tenbusch, Managing Director at Dibella.

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has appointed Michelle Robertson (48) as Executive Board member, responsible for Global Human Resources, People and Culture, effective January 1st, 2024. Michelle Robertson, a British national, has been with adidas and previously Reebok in different HR roles for more than 18 years. Since July 2023 she has already been leading Global Human Resources at adidas on an interim basis reporting to CEO Bjørn Gulden.

As of January 1, 2024, the company’s Executive Board will consist of Bjørn Gulden (Chief Executive Officer and Global Brands), Arthur Hoeld (Global Sales), Harm Ohlmeyer (Chief Financial Officer), Michelle Robertson (Global Human Resources, People and Culture) and Martin Shankland (Global Operations).

• Bernhard Jucker will not stand for re-election as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on April 17, 2024 due to reaching the age limit
• Thomas Oetterli will be proposed as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors at the 2024 Annual General Meeting and will continue in his role as CEO of the Rieter Group
• Roger Baillod will be named as Lead Independent Director
• Jennifer Maag will be proposed for election as a new member of the Board of Directors

Bernhard Jucker will not stand for re-election as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting on April 17, 2024, having reached the age limit. The Board of Directors would like to thank Bernhard Jucker for his outstanding and valuable commitment. During his term of office, he has successfully developed the company through acquisitions and optimization of the sites.

The Board of Directors of Rieter Holding AG proposes to the shareholders the election of Thomas Oetterli as the new Chairman of the Board. He will continue in his role as CEO of the Rieter Group. The dual mandate is an interim measure to ensure the sustainable implementation of the “Next Level” performance program. The Board of Directors is convinced that Thomas Oetterli has the qualifications and the ideal background experience as the future Chairman of Rieter Holding Ltd.

Roger Baillod, member of the Board of Directors since 2016 and Vice Chairman since 2022, will be named as Lead Independent Director. Together with the Board of Directors, Roger Baillod will use his many years of experience to continue to ensure good corporate governance.

Jennifer Maag will be proposed for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on April 17, 2024. Ms. Maag, native-born in the USA, has Swiss and German citizenship and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley (USA). Ms. Maag is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Kardex Holding AG, Zurich, Weidmann Holding AG, Rapperswil, VT5 Acquisition Company AG, Pfäffikon (SZ) and Nova Property Fund Management AG, Pfäffikon (SZ). In 1999, Jennifer Maag founded Capital Concepts International AG, Zurich (Switzerland), a mergers and acquisitions consulting firm, where she remains as managing partner. From 1996 to 1999, she was a senior manager in the corporate finance department of KPMG AG in Zurich. She previously worked in auditing at Deloitte in Munich (Germany) and Zurich, during which time she completed her education as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

• Sophie BALMARY is appointed Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs, and member of the Executive Committee

Carbios announced the appointment of Sophie Balmary as Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs. Her mission will be to support the growth of Carbios' organization and operations: to steer organizational changes, develop talent and contribute to the development of a stimulating and fulfilling working environment, as well as to secure Carbios' operations within the framework of its industrial and commercial development. Sophie Balmary joins the Executive Committee and reports to Emmanuel Ladent, Chief Executive Officer of Carbios.

Trained as a lawyer, Sophie Balmary began her career at Renault in 1995, contributing to major projects involving changes to the Group's legal structure and mergers & acquisitions. In 2003, she joined the Renault Group's Human Resources Department, taking on various responsibilities, including Recruitment for France, managing the establishment of Head Office and Social Relations for France. In September 2017, she joined Michelin as Director of Social Relations, France. Her previous experience at Renault was crucial in strengthening social dialogue within Michelin by combining responsibility, agility, and social cohesion, capitalizing on her legal skills and in-depth understanding of industrial and human issues.

INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announces that Director of Government Affairs Wes Fisher was named a 2023 Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE). The list includes professionals with legislative success in 2023, have been innovative in their field, are held in high regard by their peers, give back to their community through charity or pro bono work, and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Fisher joined INDA in 2022, he previously held senior government affairs positions at the Pet Advocacy Network and the National Automatic Merchandising Association. His work at INDA has included interfacing with lawmakers, regulators, and stakeholders at the state, local, federal, and international levels and participating in UN negotiations regarding the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty. He serves on the board of directors of the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) and in 2022 was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Virginia Rare Disease Council.

Die Jury des German Design Award 2024 hat die fünf Finalist*innen für die Auszeichnung „Newcomer“ ausgewählt: Leonie Burkhardt, Justus Hilfenhaus, Nicolas König, das studio formagora (Finn Blankenberg, Esra Heuermann, Nick Potter) und Sebastian Winter haben die Jury mit ihren Portfolios aus den Disziplinen Textildesign, Produktdesign, Architektur, Partizipatives Design und Digital Design überzeugt. Mit innovativen Lösungen für aktuelle soziale wie ökologische Fragestellungen und zukunftsweisenden Ideen, Projekten und Produkten auf hohem Niveau beweisen sie, welch entscheidende Rolle jungen Designtalenten für die erfolgreichen Transformationsprozesse unserer Zeit zukommt.

Der Award belegt damit die Bedeutung von jungem Design für die Wettbewerbs- und Zukunftsfähigkeit mittelständischer Unternehmen und der (deutschen) Wirtschaft – als Motoren der Weiterentwicklung sind Jungdesigner*innen mit ihren Future Skills für deren Innovationskompetenz maßgeblich. Kollaboratives Arbeiten, interdisziplinärer Austausch, Offenheit, Experimentierfreude und Forschergeist ziehen sich durch die Portfolios der Finalist*innen. Sie alle setzen sich mit Chancen von Veränderungen auseinander, reagieren auf eine sich immer schneller wandelnde Welt, arbeiten sowohl konzeptionell als auch experimentell und wagen sich an spielerische Lösungen für komplexe Herausforderungen. Die große inhaltliche Bandbreite, Diversität an Perspektiven und deren jeweilige Umsetzung in die Praxis hat die Jury des German Design Award 2024 überzeugt. Sie erhalten die Chance auf die mit 15.000 Euro dotierte Auszeichnung des German Design Award, die am 26. Januar 2024 in Frankfurt am Main vergeben wird.

Mit der Auszeichnung stärkt die Stiftung Rat für Formgebung die Sichtbarkeit junger Designer*innen durch die Möglichkeit, sich und ihre Arbeiten der internationalen Design-Community, Industrie und Wirtschaft sowie der Öffentlichkeit zu präsentieren. In einer Reihe von exklusiven Anlässen des Rat für Formgebung haben die Finalist*innen zudem Gelegenheit, Mitglieder der Stiftung Rat für Formgebung kennenzulernen und wichtige Wirtschaftskontakte zu knüpfen. Zu den ehemaligen Preisträger*innen gehören zahlreiche heute namhafte Designer*innen wie Eva Marguerre, Marcel Besau, Sebastian Herkner und Christian Zanzotti.