German Tier 1 supplier ZF has announced the appointment of Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger as its new chairman, who will succeed Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen at the turn of the year, having been a member of the ZF supervisory board since 2008 and its chairperson for the last four years.

The company says Dr. Hiesinger is a highly regarded and long-established industry expert, has been on the supervisory board since the start of 2021. He brings to bear many years of experience as both a member and chair of management boards of big-name companies. Klaus Helmrich, member of the Siemens management board for many years, was newly appointed as a member of the ZF supervisory board.

“The shareholders welcome the appointment of Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger as chair of the supervisory board of ZF. His many years of wide-ranging experience in senior positions with leading industrial companies make him highly qualified to play a constructive role in the demanding transformation process of ZF,” said mayor of the city of Friedrichshafen, Andreas Brand, speaking as the representative of the Zeppelin Foundation.

Dr. Joachim Meinecke, speaking on behalf of the Ulderup Foundation, ZF’s second shareholder said: “At the head of the ZF supervisory board, Heinrich Hiesinger will provide important stimulus for the ongoing strategic development of this incredibly dynamic group.”

Dr Hiesinger has studied electrical engineering at TU München, achieving his doctorate, before starting his career with the Siemens Group in 1992. Between then and 2010, he worked for the company in a number of functions and departments in Germany and abroad. He then moved to ThyssenKrupp in Essen as vice-chair of the management board. After taking over as chairperson of the management board in 2011, he led the company until 2018. During this time, Dr Hiesinger also served as the vice president of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

Klaus Helmrich was affirmed as a new member of the ZF supervisory board. He began his career in 1986 as a graduate engineer in the development department of Siemens Electrical & Electronics. By the time he was appointed to the management board of Siemens AG in 2011 he had held several management positions in Germany and the USA. He was most recently also CEO of Siemens Digital Industries and is exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced in the field of digitalisation, with a particular focus on manufacturing and processes.

Andreas Brand said: “Klaus Helmrich influenced the successful development of Siemens AG over the course of a decade as a member of the management board. He is also a senior executive who has shaped digitalisation and transformation from multiple different perspectives. His knowledge will make him a sought-after voice on the ZF management board.”

Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen has been a member of the ZF supervisory board since 2008, taking over as its chair in 2017. “The planned change at the top of the board has been in preparation for more than a year with the support of shareholders. The familiarisation of the last twelve months enables Dr. Hiesinger to take on this role with enormous continuity,” said the outgoing chair of the ZF supervisory board. 

“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Paefgen,” says Andreas Brand, speaking on behalf of both shareholders. Dr. Joachim Meinecke continues: “His decades of experience and exceptional competence in leading roles within the automotive industry made him a firm anchor and important source of inspiration for the ZF management board throughout the past 13 years of transformation in our industry. The members of the supervisory board extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Paefgen for his outstanding work and service as its chairman.”