Innovation as a driver for sustainability

Dirk Lambrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Dätwyler Group. Dirk Lambrecht was appointed CEO of the Dätwyler Group at the beginning of 2017. He previously headed the Sealing Solutions Division, which combined the former Sealing Technologies and Pharma Packaging divisions. From 2005 to 2012, he was head of the Sealing Technologies Division. Before joining the Dätwyler Group, Dirk Lambrecht was Managing Director of Phoenix Traffic Technology GmbH, a subsidiary of Phoenix AG. He is a board member of Swissmem and of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Central Switzerland (IHZ). He holds a degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in apparatus engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg; he completed additional training at the Management School St. Gallen, among others.

Sabrina Gérard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Dätwyler Group. Sabrina Gérard has been a member of the Dätwyler Executive Board since November 1, 2022, and leads the Group Function Sustainability & Operational Excellence as Chief Sustainability Officer. Previously, she held several positions at Dätwyler: Head of Sustainability and Agility since 2021, previously Chief Agility Officer and Vice President Global Quality & EHS. From 1991 to 2010, Sabrina Gérard held various management positions at Sterigenics, Rieter Automotive Systems (now Autoneum) and LGTB Metal Finishing. Sabrina Gérard holds a Master in Biochemical Engineering from KU Leuven University in Belgium.

Frank Schön, Chief Technology Officer, Dätwyler Group. Frank Schön has been a member of Dätwyler's Executive Board since February 2020 and leads the Technology & Innovation Group Function as Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Vice President R&D and Innovation responsible for global research and development in the Sealing Solutions Division since 2013. From 2004 to 2012, he held various management positions in research and development in the Sealing Technologies Group Division. Frank Schön graduated in chemistry from the University of Bayreuth, Germany, and subsequently obtained a PhD from the University of Freiburg, Germany. In addition, he holds an MAS in Business Administration and Engineering from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Martin Hirzel, Board member SMG, President Swissmem. Martin Hirzel has been President of Swissmem since January 2021 and has been active in Swiss industry for over 20 years. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Bucher Industries AG, Dätwyler Holding AG and three privately held SMEs. He is also Chairman of the Regional Economic Advisory Board of the Swiss National Bank and chairs the Advisory Board of the ZHAW School of Management & Law. Until the end of 2019, the Zurich native was CEO of Autoneum Holding AG for nine years. Prior to that, he led the market region South America, Middle East & Africa for four years, mainly from the headquarters in São Paulo (Brazil). Between 2000 and 2007 he lived in Shanghai (China), from where he was responsible for building up the local presence of Rieter Holding Ltd. Martin Hirzel started his professional career with a vocational apprenticeship, later studied business administration with a specialization in industry and international production at the ZHAW and finally completed the GMP at Harvard Business School.