Member News

SMS group GmbH, world market leader in metallurgical plant construction, has expanded its management team

• Prof. Dr. Hans Ferkel will become Chief Technology Officer
• Michael Rzepczyk will become Chief Operating Officer
• Dr. Guido Kleinschmidt will leave the Management Board

This expansion implements a clear functional organization of the Management Board with focus on innovative products, efficient order execution and digital processes.

Prof. Dr. Hans Ferkel currently serves as Head of Technology and Innovation at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. Previously, he held senior management R&D positions at Volkswagen. Prof. Dr. Ferkel will begin his work as Chief Technology Officer at the earliest possible date.
As of March 1, 2019, Michael Rzepczyk will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer of SMS group GmbH. Mr. Rzepczyk currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Business Unit Metallurgy and is mainly responsible for the execution of major projects.
Next to Prof. Dr. Hans Ferkel and Michael Rzepczyk the five-member management team consists of Torsten Heising (Finance) and Prof. Dr. Katja Windt (Digitalization) headed by long-standing chairman Burkhard Dahmen.

“I am delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Ferkel and Mr. Rzepczyk to our management team. They are experienced industry experts and will support SMS in further expanding its market leadership in metallurgical plant construction”, said CEO Burkhard Dahmen. “The Management Board is now perfectly positioned to implement our growth strategy and to remain a key partner for our most sophisticated customers.”
On February 28, 2019, Dr. Guido Kleinschmidt will leave the Management Board at his own request. He will take up a new role outside the SMS group GmbH.

"We would like to thank Dr. Kleinschmidt for his successful work. His professional competence has earned him a strong reputation both within our company and with our business partners. We wish him all the best, health and personal well-being in the future”, said CEO Burkhard Dahmen.