Freudenberg names Dr. Frank Heislitz as CEO
February 23, 2018 - Germany
Dr. Frank Heislitz, currently the chief technology officer (CTO) of Freudenberg Performance Materials, will take over the position of chief executive officer (CEO) of Freudenberg Performance Materials with effect from April 1, 2018. Freudenberg is a global manufacturer of innovative technical textiles for a broad range of markets and applications.
Dr. Heislitz succeeds Bruce Olson, who will retire at the end of March 2018 after 11 years of outstanding work for Freudenberg. Bruce Olson will continue to serve as chairman of the shareholders’ committee of Japan Vilene Company Ltd., a joint venture between Freudenberg and Toray Industries, until the end of 2019.
Frank Heislitz joined the Freudenberg Group in 2001 as assistant to the Management Board. In 2002, he was appointed head of the competence centre Freudenberg stamping and forming technology at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, after which he took over management of the Lead Center Simmerring Europe in 2005. Before becoming CTO of Freudenberg Performance Materials, he worked for three years as co-general manager for the NOK-Freudenberg Group China. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt.
On January 1, John McNabb took over the role of chief operations officer (COO) at Freudenberg Performance Materials from Richard Shaw, who retired at the end of 2017. As of April 1, 2018, Mr. McNabb will take over the position of CTO of Freudenberg Performance Materials from Dr. Heislitz. He will be based in Weinheim.
With effect from April 1, 2018, the Management Board of Freudenberg Performance Materials will consist of three members: Dr. Frank Heislitz (CEO), Mr. John McNabb (CTO), and Dr. René Wollert (CFO). (GK)
Dr. Heislitz succeeds Bruce Olson, who will retire at the end of March 2018 after 11 years of outstanding work for Freudenberg. Bruce Olson will continue to serve as chairman of the shareholders’ committee of Japan Vilene Company Ltd., a joint venture between Freudenberg and Toray Industries, until the end of 2019.
Frank Heislitz joined the Freudenberg Group in 2001 as assistant to the Management Board. In 2002, he was appointed head of the competence centre Freudenberg stamping and forming technology at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, after which he took over management of the Lead Center Simmerring Europe in 2005. Before becoming CTO of Freudenberg Performance Materials, he worked for three years as co-general manager for the NOK-Freudenberg Group China. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt.
On January 1, John McNabb took over the role of chief operations officer (COO) at Freudenberg Performance Materials from Richard Shaw, who retired at the end of 2017. As of April 1, 2018, Mr. McNabb will take over the position of CTO of Freudenberg Performance Materials from Dr. Heislitz. He will be based in Weinheim.
With effect from April 1, 2018, the Management Board of Freudenberg Performance Materials will consist of three members: Dr. Frank Heislitz (CEO), Mr. John McNabb (CTO), and Dr. René Wollert (CFO). (GK)