Nabaltec AG has announced significant changes to its Management Board with the appointment of Dirk A. Muller as the new Chief Financial Officer and the extension of CEO Johannes Heckmann's contract. Gunther Spitzer, who has served as CFO since 2017 and spent nearly 45 years with the company, will retire at his own request when his contract expires on December 31, 2026.
The Supervisory Board appointed Muller to the Management Board with a four-year term beginning December 1, 2026. Johannes Heckmann, CEO of Nabaltec AG, stated that Muller brings extensive financial management experience and familiarity with the company from his service on Nabaltec's Supervisory Board since 2024. This existing knowledge is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and contribute to the company's further development.
Muller's professional background includes business administration studies in Munster and beginning his career at Ernst & Young in Dusseldorf, with a two-year assignment in Boston. After six years, he moved to Jackstadt GmbH as Head of Accounting and Tax before returning to EY, where he became a partner in the Equity Capital Markets/Transaction Services Division in 2002. His subsequent roles included Managing Director and CFO at A.T.U in Weiden, CFO of SiC Processing GmbH, Group CFO of the Onlineprinters Group, and most recently Group CFO of the Cologne-based Swash Group since September 2024. He holds qualifications as an auditor, tax consultant, and CPA.
As Chief Financial Officer, Muller will assume sole responsibility for Finance/Controlling, Administration and Information Technology from January 1, 2027. Until that date, the Management Board will temporarily operate as a four-member board during the transition period. Muller will step down from the Supervisory Board on November 30, 2026, and holds no further positions on other supervisory bodies.
In a separate but related development, the Management Board contract of CEO Johannes Heckmann was extended by five years. The Supervisory Board stated this decision sends a clear signal of stability and continuity in the company's management, underscoring confidence in Nabaltec's strategic direction.
Gerhard Witzany, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed regret at Spitzer's decision to retire, acknowledging his significant contributions to Nabaltec's development over nearly 45 years. Witzany described Spitzer as "a true home-grown talent" who demonstrated high expertise, reliability, and personal commitment throughout his tenure.
These leadership changes come as Nabaltec AG continues to develop its position in the specialty chemicals market. The company manufactures products based on aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide through its "Functional Fillers" and "Specialty Aluminas" segments. Its product range includes eco-friendly flame retardant fillers for applications in infrastructure like tunnels, airports, and high-rise buildings, as well as additives for catalysis and electric vehicles. The company maintains production sites in Germany and the United States and aims for market leadership in its segments through capacity expansion, process optimization, and strategic product range extensions.
The original announcement can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
