Pöppelmann restructures management

Jointly assume the management: From left, Henk Göver, Norbert Nobbe, Matthias Lesch. (Photo: Michael Helweg)

Change in the management of the plastic processing company Pöppelmann: Norbert Nobbe, Matthias Lesch, and Henk Gövert (from September 1, 2019) will jointly steer the affairs of Pöppelmann Holding as a management trio. The current CEO, Torsten Ratzmann, is leaving Pöppelmann by mutual agreement. This was announced today by the chairman of the company's advisory board, Ralf Hochhäusler.

Norbert Nobbe from Holdorf (57) has been with Pöppelmann since 1988. Since 2008, the graduate engineer has been responsible as managing director for production and technology of the company.

Effective May 1, 2019, the advisory board appointed Matthias Lesch (41) as managing director of Pöppelmann Holding. Lesch started at Pöppelmann in 2001 as a trainee, and subsequently worked for two years in management at the Pöppelmann plant in the USA. Since 2008, he has been authorized signatory and responsible worldwide for marketing, sales, and innovation.

Henk Gövert (37) from Damme will take on his new role as commercial managing director of Pöppelmann Holding on September 1, 2019. This also marks a return to his professional roots: the 37-year-old began his career at Pöppelmann in 2002 with a dual study program in industrial engineering. After successfully completing his studies, he served as commercial manager at Pöppelmann USA for two years and as commercial manager of the FAMAC division for three years. Concurrently, Gövert completed another degree in business law. He gained professional experience outside of Pöppelmann at Ernst & Young and since November 2015 as commercial manager and member of the management team at Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik.

The initially two and from September 1, three managing directors will make decisions equally and in close coordination. The company has already had very good experiences with this management model in the past.

The advisory board and shareholders are firmly convinced that Pöppelmann is excellently positioned for the future with the management trio Norbert Nobbe, Matthias Lesch, and Henk Gövert, explains shareholder and deputy chairwoman Catherin Vitale. Catherin Vitale: "They stand for continuity, long-term thinking, and expertise — and, most importantly for the shareholders: all three fit very well with Pöppelmann's corporate culture and are highly motivated."

The departing CEO, Torsten Ratzmann, joined from the Harting Technology Group in Espelkamp to Lohne in 2016. Catherin Vitale emphasizes: "The advisory board and shareholders thank Mr. Ratzmann for his valuable work and impulses and wish him all the best and much success in his further professional career."

Torsten Ratzmann bid farewell to the company's employees with personal words: "Together, we have achieved a lot and experienced much. And we have learned a lot from and with each other. My time at Pöppelmann was most strongly shaped by the intensive and excellent collaboration with all of you. For this cooperation, your openness, and your trust, I extend my heartfelt thanks."