Successful era at Neuberger comes to an end: Managing Director Klaus Lenkner bids farewell to the staff

At the company meeting at the end of March, Managing Director Klaus Lenkner was farewelled: in the picture are (from left to right) Saskia Weinhardt (Authorized Signatory and Commercial Manager), Dipl.-Wi.-Ing. Thomas Weishaupt (Managing Director of Max Weishaupt GmbH), Jürgen Metzger (new Neuberger Managing Director), and Klaus Lenkner (former Managing Director).

After exactly 35 years of employment, the time had finally come: Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Lenkner, long-standing Managing Director of the Rothenburg automation company Neuberger Gebäudeautomation GmbH, retired on April 1, 2024. His successor as Managing Director is Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Jürgen Metzger, who previously served as Sales Manager within the company.

Lenkner's career at the company began on April 1, 1989, as a Project Manager at the then Neuberger Switchgear GmbH under the guidance of the company's founder Gerhard Neuberger. In 1993, Lenkner took over the management of the Electronics Components Development and Manufacturing Department at the headquarters at Oberen Kaiserweg 6. In 1995, the company became a member of the Weishaupt Group due to a succession arrangement with the owner Gerhard Neuberger. In January 1997, Lenkner was finally appointed Managing Director of Neuberger by the parent company, Max Weishaupt GmbH. Over the following 27 years, Lenkner significantly shaped the development and growth of the Middle Franconian automation specialist through his commitment, strategic foresight, leadership qualities, and his human and empathetic approach to the workforce.

The path to success: Continuous growth with innovative products, reliable services, and a motivated workforce

Under Lenkner's leadership, the company evolved from an MSR specialist with 153 employees in 1997 to an important "player" in the building automation industry, now with more than 650 employees. The product and service portfolio was continuously developed, improved, and expanded under Lenkner. Today, the company is recognized as an experienced expert in building and room automation. Notably, Neuberger, under Lenkner's leadership, established itself as an important supplier for building automation and monitoring systems for many renowned pharmaceutical companies. The recently mentioned monitoring systems are primarily used to monitor climate and production data in cleanrooms. Due to American GMP* regulations, the highest standards are required for quality assurance and production processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Neuberger's systems meet these requirements without exception. Respect, tolerance, honesty, transparency, and diversity have become core values and principles within the company under Lenkner. These are now an integral part of the corporate philosophy.

Predecessor Sales Director Jürgen Metzger takes over

Jürgen Metzger, the company's current Sales Director, is taking over from Lenkner as Managing Director. Metzger (55), a graduate electrical engineer, has been with the company for 22 years. He brings extensive industry experience and gained valuable management experience as a authorized signatory of the Swiss subsidiary, Neuberger Gebäudeautomation AG. Since January 1, 2024, Lenkner and Metzger have been leading and functioning as a dual leadership team within the company. This ensured a smooth and seamless transition of all activities and management responsibilities. Since April 1, 2024, Metzger, together with Saskia Weinhardt, who serves as authorized signatory and Commercial Director at Neuberger, has assumed responsibility for the company.

The era is not quite over yet

"Jürgen Metzger brings with him his expertise, knowledge, and skills in automation technology, his customer-oriented thinking and actions, as well as his loyalty and commitment to Neuberger, precisely the qualities that will continue to advance the company. I am convinced that with him as the new Managing Director, the future of Neuberger is in the best hands," said Lenkner during his farewell speech to the entire staff, which was held during a company meeting at the end of March this year. "I wish Jürgen Metzger all the best and much success in his new position," Lenkner added to the assembled team. The Lenkner era will not end abruptly: he will still oversee the construction of the new electronics manufacturing facility until its final completion and commissioning, scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. During this period, he will also continue to advise the company in an advisory capacity.

Lenkner leaves behind a significant footprint and an impressive entrepreneurial career with his retirement. With Jürgen Metzger, a worthy successor now follows, who will continue to push and develop Lenkner's course of continuous growth and ongoing success. The management of the parent company, Max Weishaupt GmbH, is also convinced: "With Mr. Jürgen Metzger, an ideal and long-term candidate has been found for the position of Managing Director of Neuberger. We are glad to have gained an experienced leader from within the Neuberger ranks for this position," said the words from the corporate headquarters in Schwendi, Upper Swabia (Biberach district). An official farewell to Lenkner is planned during a large inauguration celebration of the new parking garage and electronics manufacturing facilities in June this year.

*GMP = Good Manufacturing Practice, according to the standards of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is among the strictest production guidelines worldwide