HAWE Hydraulik has adapted its organizational structure to meet the demands of a dynamic market environment and an increasingly geopolitically influenced world economy. The company is focusing on greater agility, speed, and customer orientation by streamlining the Executive Board, increasing the assumption of responsibility at the first management level, and clearly defining responsibilities.
“The further development of our organization is a reaction to geopolitical, economic and market-related challenges. It is also based on valuable insights from a company-wide analysis of our leadership culture. The aim is to break down silos, strengthen our strategic direction and make our organization more flexible and faster,” said Karl Haeusgen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, explaining the background to the changes.
Measures to increase speed and efficiency
- Strategically positioned group management: Concentration on three management board members with the CEO under Wolfgang Sochor, CFO under Sebastian Brand and COO under Christof Gilnhammer allows a clear focus on strategic issues. Functional and operational responsibility is transferred more to the first management level.
- Customer focus: Customer-specific key areas such as sales, research and development (R&D) and market/product management will work more closely together and report directly to the CEO.
- Flexibility and subsidiarity: Decisions are made where their effects are felt. The streamlined structure allows customized solutions for regions, products and business areas.
“The measures will strengthen HAWE's market position and enable faster decision-making and more effective collaboration for the benefit of our customers. In the coming months, the corporate strategy will be further refined to ensure a precisely tailored organization,” explains CEO Wolfgang Sochor.
The previous CTO, Axel Schwerdtfeger, is leaving the company after 19 years by mutual agreement with the supervisory board before his contract expires. His leaving is due to differing views on the strategic direction of the company. The position of CTO will not be filled. The company would like to thank Mr. Schwerdtfeger for his many years of valuable service to the company and his important contribution to its success.
The current CSO Jiang Ye will take over responsibility for HAWE's business activities in the Chinese market as Chairman China. In a dual role until mid-year 2025, Mr. Ye will ensure a seamless transition and, in his new position, will also focus on defining the strategic direction for the long-term success of the Chinese business. “We are delighted that he has accepted this significant role in a foreign market that is very important for HAWE,” says Karl Haeusgen.