Simon Blümcke, the newly elected mayor of Friedrichshafen, has officially joined the Supervisory Board of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. He succeeds Andreas Brand, the former mayor who stepped down from his board position following the conclusion of his term on October 31, 2024.
Blümcke, 50, will now serve as Chairman of the Supervisory Board for the Zeppelin Foundation on the capital side. This foundation, managed by the City of Friedrichshafen, is ZF’s primary shareholder, holding a 93.8% stake in the company. Blümcke’s appointment to the Supervisory Board will run until the end of the current term in March 2028. The remaining 6.2% of ZF shares are held by the Ulderup Foundation, which also has representation on the board.
Dr Heinrich Hiesinger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, welcomed Blümcke’s appointment, stating: “We are pleased to have Simon Blümcke on board and anticipate a productive collaboration. The seamless handover ensures continuity and stability, particularly during these challenging times. We also extend our gratitude to Andreas Brand for his dedication and contributions over the past 15 years, during which he played a pivotal role in navigating ZF through significant transformations and strategic acquisitions.”
Blümcke expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, saying: “I look forward to working closely with the Supervisory Board and Management Board to drive ZF’s strategic development and future positioning.”Blümcke was elected as Friedrichshafen’s mayor on September 29, 2024, and officially assumed his duties on December 1, 2024.
A further change is set to occur on the employee side of the Supervisory Board at the start of the new year. Roman Zitzelsberger, Deputy Chairman and former District Manager of IG Metall Baden-Württemberg, will step down. His successor will be Barbara Resch, the current head of IG Metall’s Baden-Württemberg district. Preparations for her formal appointment are underway to ensure a smooth transition.
Dr Hiesinger acknowledged Zitzelsberger’s service, stating: “The collaboration between the Chair and Deputy Chair has been marked by mutual trust and shared responsibility in addressing complex challenges. We deeply appreciate Mr. Zitzelsberger’s dedication and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
