Christian Maget will be the new CEO of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, rising from the position of chief financial officer to succeed Gerd Liebig, who is retiring after leading the company to offer all-electric injection molding machines to every market.
Maget, 48, also will continue to be responsible for finances, human resources and information technology
The change is part of a scheduled generational transition effective Sept. 1 at the Schwaig, Germany-based company, which is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (SHI) in Japan.
Founded in 1970, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag produces all-electric and hybrid injection molding machines and production cells.
As part of the management transition, Anatol Sattel, 46, the international sales director, also will take on a new corporate role of chief sales officer (CSO).
The division of duties has Maget focused internally and Sattel focused externally.
“At the moment our market is changing with the U.S. increasing a little but Europe and Asia going down for one or two years. We have to think in terms of opportunities,” Maget said in a July 30 interview with Plastics News. “Our biggest opportunity with our company structure is our global platform. We have to use our competitive advantages.”
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has two production plants in Germany, one in Japan and two in China that provide “strategic stability” to the company and plastics processors, Maget said. He would like to see its development teams specialize and collaborate more.
“We have cultural advantages in Asia with production optimization and economies of scales to produce large amounts of machines with a focus on [efficient] production. And we in Europe are focusing on application and customization. Fitting together these two cultural specialties is one of our potentials,” Maget said.
The incoming CEO also will continue the emphasis on energy-saving technology and sustainability similar to Liebig, who held the top post for nine years.
“Competitive and sustainable products ensure success for us and our customers,” Maget said.
Liebig’s management team paved the way for a smooth transition following extraordinary achievements in recent years, Maget said.
“What the group has accomplished steering through some of the most challenging economic circumstances is testament to Gerd Liebig’s work ethic, drive and integrity,” Maget said. “From expanding our global sector capabilities, to becoming the world leader for all-electric machines and competing in the digital world, his ability to continuously innovate cannot be underplayed. [He] has been instrumental in expanding our service offerings as well as driving forward the development of more sustainable, automated manufacturing solutions.”
Maget said he learned a lot from Liebig’s leadership, especially his passion to share skills and knowledge to inspire future generations.
“That is certainly an important legacy that I plan to carry forward, supporting people development to drive the future strategic orientation of the group and further strengthen its competitiveness,” Maget said.
He has 11 years of experience with Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, starting out in 2013 as the manager of controlling and planning. In 2018, Maget was named finance manager and a member of the management board. He took on additional duties for IT in 2020 and human resources in 2022 before being appointed CFO in 2023.
Source: sustainableplastics.com
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