ZF has appointed Wolf-Henning Scheider as new CEO, succeeding Stefan Sommer and latterly, Konstantin Sauer.
No reason for Sommer’s swift departure last December was given by the German supplier, apart from to describe the rupture as “separation by consensus,” although some speculation has centred around this being a result of differences of views on expansion.
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Scheider comes with a raft of management experience with suppliers, Bosch and Mahle.
“As Mahle’s CEO, Wolf-Henning Scheider demonstrated outstanding competence in regards to a game changing transformation process,” said ZF chairman, Franz-Josef Paefgen.
“Scheider is an industry expert and a leader that stands for continuity – with both his technical and interpersonal skills. He will systematically continue to execute our Strategy ZF 2025.
“He is also a visionary and stands for guided change. With sensitivity and in constant exchange with all parties involved, he will guide ZF through the challenging transformation process which the whole automotive industry is currently facing.”
“Special thanks goes to Konstantin Sauer who assumed the role of ZF’s CEO in addition to his function as CFO during the transition phase and as such, delivered stability for the company.
“I would also like to thank Mahle, which enabled the quick and straightforward move of Wolf-Henning Scheider. The fact the product portfolios do not have any overlaps has helped significantly in this process.”
ZF shareholders, the Zeppelin and Ulderup Foundations, welcomed Scheider’s designation: “Wolf-Henning Scheider has both excellent managerial skills and personality and comes with all the experience, leadership competence and strategic thinking required,” they added.
“He has outstanding connections and knows the tasks and challenges of the automotive and supplier industry very well.”
From 1989 to 2010, Scheider worked in different positions at Bosch such as VP Power Tools France, CEO of the Car Multimedia division in Hildesheim, Germany and as CEO of the Gasoline Systems division in Schwieberdingen, Germany.
From 2010 to 2015, he was a board member of Bosch, where he additionally became the spokesman of the Automotive Technology business sector in 2013.
Wolf-Henning Scheider became part of the Mahle Group’s executive management in 2015 and assumed the role of chairman and CEO in 2015.
