Nabaltec AG has announced significant changes to its Management Board with the appointment of Dirk A. Müller as the new Chief Financial Officer and the extension of CEO Johannes Heckmann's contract. Gunther Spitzer, who has served as CFO since 2017 and spent nearly 45 years with the company, will retire at his own request when his contract expires on December 31, 2026. The Supervisory Board has appointed Müller to the Management Board with a four-year term beginning December 1, 2026, creating a brief transitional period where the board will operate with four members.
Johannes Heckmann, CEO of Nabaltec AG, emphasized Müller's qualifications for the role, stating that his prior experience on Nabaltec's Supervisory Board since 2024 provides valuable familiarity with the company's structures and business processes. This existing knowledge is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and contribute to Nabaltec's further development. Müller brings extensive financial management expertise from his career, which includes positions at Ernst & Young where he became a partner in the Equity Capital Markets/Transaction Services Division, and subsequent CFO roles at A.T.U, SiC Processing GmbH, and the Onlineprinters Group. He currently serves as Group CFO of the Cologne-based Swash Group and holds professional credentials as an auditor, tax consultant, and CPA.
From January 1, 2027, Müller will assume sole responsibility for Finance/Controlling, Administration and Information Technology at Nabaltec. The company, which maintains production sites in Germany and the US, manufactures specialized products based on aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide through its two product segments: "Functional Fillers" and "Specialty Aluminas." These products include eco-friendly flame retardant fillers for applications in infrastructure projects and electronic devices, as well as additives for catalysis and electric vehicles. More information about the company's product range and market position can be found at https://www.nabaltec.de.
In a parallel development reinforcing leadership stability, the Supervisory Board extended CEO Johannes Heckmann's Management Board contract by five years. Gerhard Witzany, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, explained that this decision sends a clear signal of continuity in the company's management and underscores confidence in Nabaltec's strategic direction. The company has received multiple awards for innovativeness and strives for market leadership in each of its specialty product segments through capacity expansion, process optimization, and strategic product range extensions.
Witzany expressed regret at Spitzer's decision to retire while acknowledging his significant contributions to Nabaltec's development over nearly five decades. The leadership transitions occur as Nabaltec continues to develop its market position in the specialty chemicals industry, where its products serve critical safety and technological applications. The combination of experienced internal leadership continuity through Heckmann's extended tenure and the infusion of Müller's external financial expertise positions the company for strategic execution in evolving markets, particularly as demand grows for flame retardant solutions in infrastructure and additives for emerging technologies like electric vehicles.
