Desma Elastomertechnik CEO Shurmann leaves role after 16 years

Martin Schurmann

Martin Schurmann "abruptly and surprisingly" left his role as CEO of Desma Elastomertechnik GmbH after 16 years with the injection molding machine builder for elastomer processors.

Michael Zaun has taken over Schurmann's duties on the management board, according to a March 21 news release from the Fridingen, Germany-based company.

The change in management comes as shareholder Salzgitter AG is expanding and realigning the technology business unit.

Schurmann held several positions, including chairman of both Hebron, Ky.-based Desma USA Inc. and Desma Rubber Injection Machinery in China and he was a member of the board of directors for both Desma Slovakia sro and Klockner Desma Machinery Pvt Ltd.

"Last Monday, the era for him at our company ended abruptly and surprisingly for many," the release says of a March 13 meeting.

Desma is implementing a growth strategy and "strengthening its internal performance," the release also says.

"In the course of the realignment ... Schurmann will leave the management of the company by mutual agreement and with immediate effect," the release continues. "Schurmann has played a key role in shaping and shaping the company's growth path. Most recently, he had done much to advance digitization in the industry."

Schurmann said in a March 18 LinkedIn post that "a most capable and winning team" will carry on.

"After almost exactly 16 years on the day since having enjoyed the privilege to actively participate in the success story of Desma, I am now about closing this meaningful book volume as executive director of Desma in my professional life. In doing so and firmly looking forward I wish to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to all of you with whom I have had the absolute pleasure to passionately shape business and success, worked smart and played hard, exchanged valuable thoughts and forged exciting plans of which not only a few have become vivid reality."

Schurmann went on to thank colleagues for the "valuable trust, time and attention you have paid to me so far!"

Before his roles with Desma, Schurmann was managing director of KHS A.G. in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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