Ziehl-Abegg recently convened more than 40 senior executives, including managing directors and board members from industry, finance, commerce, and associations, at its “Social Media for Decision-Makers” forum in Kupferzell. The event focused on the growing strategic importance of social media, particularly LinkedIn, as a tool for leadership visibility and corporate positioning.
The forum highlighted how social media has evolved beyond a marketing function to become a key component of executive communication and brand leadership. Designed as a platform for senior decision-makers, the event encouraged open dialogue on how organizations can leverage digital platforms to build trust, enhance visibility, and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
A central highlight of the event was a keynote session by social media expert Felix Beilharz, who provided insights into the role of platforms like LinkedIn in areas such as recruitment, corporate communication, and brand perception. His presentation emphasized the importance of authenticity, consistency, and strategic messaging in achieving meaningful engagement.
Joachim Ley, Chief Executive Officer of Ziehl-Abegg, noted that digital visibility is increasingly linked to business success, particularly in the B2B sector. He highlighted that organizations must view social media as an integral part of their leadership strategy rather than a standalone marketing tool.
The discussions that followed the keynote were marked by active participation and candid exchanges among attendees. Participants shared practical experiences, discussed challenges, and explored ways to integrate social media into broader business strategies. The interactive format enabled peer learning and facilitated meaningful conversations across industries.
Through initiatives like this forum, Ziehl-Abegg continues to promote knowledge-sharing and thought leadership on emerging business topics. The company also emphasized its commitment to fostering innovation in communication, including upcoming initiatives such as its Social Media Days event and the AI Communication Award.
As digital platforms continue to shape how organizations communicate and compete, the forum underscored the need for leaders to adopt a more strategic and informed approach to social media engagement. Headquartered in Künzelsau, Germany, Ziehl-Abegg is a global leader in ventilation, control and drive technologies. The company pioneered the external rotor motor concept in the 1950s, a design that continues to influence fan drive technology worldwide.
Today, Ziehl-Abegg employs approximately 3,000 people at its manufacturing sites in southern Germany and around 5,800 employees worldwide. The company operates 17 production facilities, more than 30 subsidiaries and over 110 sales locations across the globe.
Its portfolio includes around 30,000 products distributed in more than 100 countries, generating annual revenues exceeding one billion euros. Founded in 1910 in Berlin by Emil Ziehl as a manufacturer of electric motors, the company relocated its headquarters to southern Germany after World War II. Ziehl-Abegg remains a privately held, family-owned enterprise.
