MTU Aero Engines’ current chief operating officer Lars Wagner (pictured above) will take over as chief executive officer on 1 January 2023.

He will replace Reiner Winkler, who will terminate his mandate for personal reasons at year-end 2022, in agreement with the company’s supervisory board.

“After more than twenty years in the management board of MTU, I now see the time has come to pass on my responsibilities,” said Winkler. “The company’s expected new growth phase and the excellent succession plan at the top of both the supervisory and the management board appear to be a very suitable point in time. I am extremely thankful that I was allowed to help shape the successful development of MTU over such a long period of time.”

Chairman of the supervisory board Klaus Eberhardt commented: “For more than two decades, Reiner Winkler has contributed decisively to develop MTU into an excellently positioned company with outstanding perspectives for its future. The role of MTU in the worldwide aircraft engine business was essentially strengthened and extended under his leadership. For this, the supervisory board expresses its utmost respect and thanks to him.”

Winkler’s CEO appointment would have ended on 30 September, 2024.

Eberhardt said Wagner would be an “excellent successor” and noted that he had been a potential internal candidate “for some time”. He added: “With his comprehensive experience in both MTU and the industry, and his convincing personality, he will lead the company into the future, which will be characterised by far-reaching technological innovations.”

Eberhardt himself will retire as chairman of the supervisory board of MTU Aero Engines at the company’s annual general meeting (5 May). Gordon Riske has been proposed as his successor, and he has already accompanied the selection process for the CEO position. In the coming months, Riske and the other members of the supervisory board will shape the search for a female board member as a replacement for the vacant executive board position as well as help design the exact division of responsibilities at the executive board. Legal requirements dictate that a woman will be nominated as the fourth member of MTU’s executive board.

There are also changes afoot at MTU Maintenance Hannover. Jaap Beijer has taken over the management of the company from predecessor Holger Sindemann, as of 1 May 2022. Beijer had previously headed MTU Maintenance Zhuhai for almost four years. He was succeeded as managing director in Zhuhai by Gert Wagner, who was previously responsible for engineering, materials, and site management as well as continuous improvement as director operations support.

“Jaap Beijer will bring his extensive experience to his new role and continue the success story of MTU Maintenance Hannover,” said MTU Aero Engines’ chief program officer Michael Schreyögg. “Gert Wagner will continue to drive the expansion of our site as managing director of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. Together, the two will work to further enhance our MRO network and provide our customers with the first-class service they have come to expect.”

With around 2,400 employees, Hannover is MTU’s largest MRO site. The site is responsible for the maintenance of mid-sized and large commercial engines and is continually developing new processes in its competence centre for high-tech repairs. Over the past five years, MTU in Hannover has invested around €200 million in a digitalisation drive, a new production hall, and a modern administration building.

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is a 50/50 joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Air Holding Company. Another site in China is currently under construction and will be operational in 2024.