Leadership change at thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde – Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs to succeed Winfried Schulte

After more than three decades of dedicated service at the thyssenkrupp Group, Winfried Schulte, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde, will retire on October 1, 2025. He will be succeeded by Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs.

Winfried Schulte began his career in 1992 as a trainee at the then Hoesch Rothe Erde in Dortmund and went on to hold various leadership positions over the years. In 2013, he was appointed Chair of the Management Board of thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde. Under his leadership, the company continuously advanced and strengthened its position as a leading manufacturer of large-diameter slewing bearings and seamless rolled rings, serving key industries such as energy, mechanical engineering, infrastructure, mobility, and aerospace.

Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs holds a PhD in materials engineering and brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and South America, and the Middle East. She has held senior positions in the metals industry, construction and building materials, agricultural technology, as well as in innovation and sustainability management. Her career began at Bekaert NV, a global leader in metal-based solutions, followed by further international leadership roles. Most recently, she served as CEO of the international Animal Management business at Gallagher Group, where she drove global growth and led multiple acquisitions. Until recently, Jacobs also served as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand), Goodnature Ltd., and the publicly listed company RAKON Ltd. She has stepped down from these mandates in preparation for her return to Europe. Holding both Belgian and New Zealand citizenship, Jacobs combines a strong international outlook that has shaped her entire career.

Miguel López, CEO of thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies, said: "On behalf of the entire segment, I would like to thank Winfried Schulte for his outstanding achievements and long-standing commitment to thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde. Under his leadership, the company has evolved strategically, entered new markets, and further strengthened its position as a technology leader in key industries. With Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs, we are gaining an internationally recognized leader with extensive industrial and transformation expertise, who will bring fresh momentum and continue the company’s successful development."

About thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde
thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of large-diameter slewing bearings and seamless rolled rings. With production sites and service branches in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the company serves customers in key future-oriented industries and, as part of the thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies segment, makes a significant contribution to sustainable industrial transformation.

About thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies
The Decarbon Technologies segment offers innovative cutting-edge technologies for the transformation to a climate-neutral industrial economy. It includes the thyssenkrupp businesses Rothe Erde, Uhde and Polysius as well as the majority stake in thyssenkrupp nucera. thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde is one of the leading suppliers of large-diameter slewing bearings and offers solutions for the wind industry, among others. In this way, the company is making a significant contribution to the energy transition and decarbonization. thyssenkrupp Uhde is one of the world's leading technology providers for ammonia supply chains, with a focus on the development and implementation of large-scale plants for sustainable ammonia production. thyssenkrupp Polysius is setting standards in the climate-neutral transformation of the cement and lime industry through innovative solutions. As a leading global provider of electrolysis technology for the industrial-scale production of clean hydrogen, thyssenkrupp nucera is helping its customers achieve climate neutrality. The businesses combine many years of experience, in-depth expertise in international plant construction, an extensive installed base and close customer relationships. The segment has around 12,600 employees (as of June 30, 2024), who generated sales of around €3.9 billion in fiscal year 2023/2024.