In a surprising announcement, wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative and ecological building material solutions, revealed that CEO Heimo Scheuch is stepping down immediately for personal health reasons. After more than 17 years at the helm, Scheuch requested the Supervisory Board to accept the early termination of his mandate, a decision that was respected and approved. The Supervisory Board has appointed Gerhard Hanke, currently Chief Operating Officer Central & East and Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board, as Interim CEO while a structured search for a permanent successor is conducted.
This leadership change comes at a critical time for wienerberger, which has undergone a fundamental transformation under Scheuch's guidance. When he took over in 2009, the company was primarily a brick manufacturer. Today, it stands as a diversified group with over 20,000 employees, a robust business model spanning the entire building envelope and infrastructure sectors, and a clear sustainability agenda. Scheuch's tenure saw significant geographic expansion and the establishment of a strong presence in water and energy infrastructure, complementing its core building envelope business. His departure marks the end of an era and raises questions about the continuity of the company's strategic direction.
Gerhard Hanke, the interim CEO, brings over 25 years of experience within wienerberger to his new role. He served as CFO from 2021 to 2025, has been COO Central & East since March 2025, and assumed the role of Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board in June 2026. His deep familiarity with the company's operations and financial landscape positions him to ensure stability. The responsibilities of Dagmar Steinert (CFO) and Harald Schwarzmayr (COO West) remain unchanged, indicating a seamless transition at the executive level.
Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the entire board, acknowledging Scheuch's 17-year legacy. "When he took the helm in 2009, wienerberger was a brick manufacturer. Today, it is a leading international group with more than 20,000 employees, a resilient business model spanning the entire building envelope and infrastructure, and a clear sustainability agenda. This successful transformation is his achievement," Steiner said. He also conveyed the board's respect for Scheuch's decision to prioritize his health and wished him a full and swift recovery. Regarding Hanke, Steiner noted, "Gerhard Hanke is an experienced, deeply trusted leader who knows every dimension of wienerberger. With him, we are well positioned to ensure continuity and pursue our goals while we conduct a thorough search for the right successor."
Scheuch, in his farewell statement, reflected on his three decades with the company, from his early days as an assistant to leading the group as CEO. He thanked customers, business partners, shareholders, the Supervisory Board, his fellow managing board members, and the global team for their trust and commitment. "We have achieved a great deal together, and I am proud of every step. I had looked forward to continuing as CEO as planned, but the time has come to focus on my health," he said, expressing confidence that the company is in the best possible hands.
The announcement also comes just days before wienerberger is scheduled to present its results for the second quarter and first half of 2026 on August 12. The market will be watching closely to see how the interim leadership navigates this period and whether the company's strategic trajectory remains intact. The sudden leadership change could impact investor confidence, though the appointment of an insider like Hanke may mitigate concerns. wienerberger's focus on sustainable building solutions and infrastructure remains central, and the company's ability to maintain momentum during this transition will be key.
For more information, the company has provided contact details for its corporate communications and investor relations departments, but no further details on the search for a permanent CEO have been disclosed. The original press release can be found at NewMediaWire.
