Leather chemicals manufacturer Zschimmer & Schwarz has confirmed that Dr Christoph Riemer assumed the role of chief executive on January 1. It announced this planned succession in June and Dr Riemer has been working at the group since August, in preparation for taking up the chief executive role. Report by Leatherbiz.

Left to right: Felix Grimm, Christoph Riemer and Dietmar Clausen

Zschimmer & Schwarz said Dr Riemer would work with chief financial officer, Dr Dietmar Clausen, and chief operating officer, Dr Felix Grimm, to determine the future course of the company.

Previous general manager for operations, Wolfgang Nowak, left the company at his own request at the end of 2022 to pursue new professional challenges. Dr Martin Haberl, previously general manager for sales and marketing, left at the same time. Dr Haberl will continue to be available to Zschimmer & Schwarz in an advisory capacity before retiring, probably in mid-2023.

At the start of the year, Dr Riemer said: “I have used these first few months to gain a good insight into our business divisions, our customer base and our markets, and to get to know our locations and employees. As a team, we have made it our mission to continue the success of Zschimmer & Schwarz while identifying new potential and opening up further growth markets.”