Executive Board

Dr. Rüdiger Kapitza (56) has been the Chairman of the Executive Board since April 1996. He was appointed to the Board of GILDEMEISTER Aktiengesellschaft in 1992. Following his apprenticeship as a machinist and industrial clerk at GILDEMEISTER, he studied economics in Paderborn and obtained his doctorate at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. Dr. Rüdiger Kapitza is responsible for corporate strategy, key accounting, personnel, purchasing, auditing, compliance, as well as investor and public relations.

Günter Bachmann (59) has been a member of the Executive Board since October 2006. The engineering graduate studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Chemnitz and started his professional career in 1974 in the production area at today’s DECKEL MAHO Seebach GmbH in Thüringen. He was promoted to Head of Production in 1985 and in 1994 to Managing Director of the company. Günter Bachmann is responsible for technology and production.

Kathrin Dahnke (50) has been a member of the Executive Board since May 2010. The business studies graduate joined the group in 2005 as the head of finance. Previously she held various roles, most recently as general manager for finance. Kathrin Dahnke is responsible for controlling, finance, accounting, tax and risk management.

Dr. Thorsten Schmidt (37) has been a member of the Executive Board since October 2006. He holds a doctorate in economics from Münster University and has been working at GILDEMEISTER since January 2002. He took over management responsibility for sales and services in America, after which he became a managing director in Asia. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt is responsible for the sales and service and the information technology (IT) areas.

Christian Thönes (39) has been a deputy member of the Board since January 2012. The business studies graduate joined the GILDEMEISTER group in 1998, built up the advanced technologies ULTRASONIC and LASERTEC. His last position was managing director of DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH. Christian Thönes is responsible for projects, product development, technology as well as international production facility expansion.