PALFINGER Management
executive board
ANDREAS KLAUSER
Born in 1965, Andreas Klauser began his career at STEYR Landmaschinentechnik in Upper Austria. He was responsible for the integration of twelve brands and nine business units in Turin, Italy, as the COO of CNH Industrial for the EMEA region until 2015. Most recently, Klauser was a member of the CNH Industrial board of directors based in the USA and Global Brand President of Case IH and STEYR. Andreas Klauser has been Chief Executive Officer of PALFINGER AG since June 2018. In this capacity, his responsibilities include Sales & Service, Business Development, Digital Transformation, Marketing & Communication, Sustainability, and Investor Relations. Andreas Klauser is also chairman of the supervisory boards of CTI Holding AG and Trivest AG.
Born: 14.10.1965 in Kirchdorf/Krems, Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: married, 2 children
School/University:
HTBLA Steyr
University course on Export Business at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz
Foreign language: English
Professional career:
1990 – 1996 Steyr Landmaschinentechnik, Head of the export department for Steyr tractors in Italy and Eastern Europe
1996 – 2000 Case Corporation, Business Director Eastern Europe
2000 – 2006 CNH, Business Director Central Europe for the brands Case IH, Steyr and New Holland; Sales Marketing Director Poland
2006 – 2009 CNH, Vice President and General Manager Europe
2009 – 2018 CNH, Brand President with overall responsibility for the brands Case IH and Steyr, member of the board CNH Industrial
Since June 2018 PALFINGER AG, Chief Executive Officer
Joined the PALFINGER Group: 01.06.2018
FELIX STROHBICHLER
Born in 1974, Strohbichler became head of PALFINGER’s Legal department in 2000. He went on to hold numerous executive positions in several areas of the PALFINGER Group, most recently that of EMEA Area Manager in charge of Marketing, Sales and Service, and Finance and Controlling. From May 2015 to September 2017 Strohbichler was managing director of B&C Industrieholding GmbH. In his capacity as CFO of PALFINGER AG, he has been responsible for the areas of Controlling, Accounting,Tax, Treasury, Risk Management, Internal Auditing, Compliance, Sales & Operations Planning, Process and Quality Management, and Information and Communications Technology since October 2017.
Born: 27.05.1974 in Salzburg, Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: single, 2 children
School/University:
Law studies, including a doctoral programme at the University of Salzburg
Foreign languages: English, French
Professional career:
1998 – 2000 Law firm Dr. Nikolaus Vogler, trainee lawyer
2000 – 2003 PALFINGER AG, Head of the legal department
2003 – 2013 Palfinger Europe GmbH, Managing Director
2003 – 2009 PALFINGER AG, Head of the Tail Lift Division
2010 – 2010 PALFINGER AG, Head of the Hooklift Division
2010 – 2015 Palfinger EMEA GmbH, Managing Director
2015 – 2017 B&C Industrieholding GmbH, Managing Director
Since October 2017 PALFINGER AG, Chief Financial Officer
Date of joining the PALFINGER Group: 01.10.2017
Alexander Susanek
Born in 1975, Alexander Susanek started his career in 2005 at MAN Trucks & Bus SE in Munich. Having held various specialist and management positions, he managed the heavy truck assembly plant in Niepolomice, Poland, from 2011 to 2014 as General Manager.
In 2014 he moved to the BMW Group. Following his work as Head of Prototype Car Construction in Munich and Assembly Manager at the Regensburg plant, he took over management of the world’s largest BMW Group engine plant in Steyr in 2020 as Managing Director of BMW Motoren GmbH. Since November 2022, he has been responsible for worldwide engine production at BMW Group.
In July 2023, Alexander Susanek joined PALFINGER AG as COO. In this capacity, his responsibilities include Operations, Product Line Management, Research & Development, Procurement, as well as Supply Chain Management.
Born: 12.08.1975 in Munich, Germany
Nationality: Germany
Family Status: Married, 3 children
Foreign Languages: English, Italian, French, Polish
School/University:
Master’s degrees in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Technical University of Munich
PhD in Economics at University of Munich
Professional Career:
2005 – 2006 MAN Truck & Bus SE, Head of Investment Management and Assistant to the Board Member Production
2006 – 2009 MAN Trucks & Bus SE, Head of Plant Network Strategy
2009 – 2011 MAN Trucks & Bus SE, Head of Work Structures and Central Services, Munich Plant
2011 – 2014 MAN Trucks Sp. z o.o., General Manager and Plant Manager, Niepolomice / Krakow, Poland
2014 – 2017 BMW Group, Head of Prototype Car Construction
2017 – 2019 BMW Group, Head of Assembly, Plant Regensburg
2020 – 2022 BMW Group, Managing Director, BMW Motoren & BMW Austria Holding and Plant Manager Steyr
2022 – 2023 BMW Group, Head of Engine Production
since July 2023 PALFINGER AG, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Joined the PALFINGER Group: July 1, 2023
Maria Koller
Born in 1972, psychologist Maria Koller began her professional career in 1998 as an HR expert at Alcatel in Austria. This was followed by a move to NextiraOne in Stuttgart, working as Human Resources Director for Germany from 2002.
From 2004 to 2006, she acquired international experience in Paris as the Human Resources Director for Europe at Platinum Equity, the owner of NextiraOne. In 2007, she took over senior HR functions in the Danaher Group in the UK and Germany before moving to Magna in Germany in 2014 to assume roles that included Vice President HR Global Interiors. In 2017 she took over as Executive Vice President Global HR at JENOPTIK AG.
Since January 2024 Maria Koller has been CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer) at PALFINGER AG. Besides Human Resources she is responsible for legal affairs.
Born: 23.01.1972 in Vienna, Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Family Status: Married, 1 child
School/University:
Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Human Resources, University of Vienna
Foreign Languages: English, Russian, French
Professional Career:
1998 – 2000 ALCATEL Austria, Human Resources Manager
2000 – 2002 ALCATEL e-business GmbH, Human Resources Director & Communications
2002 – 2004 NextiraOne, Human Resources Director Germany
2004 – 2006 Platinum Equity (owner of NextiraOne), Human Resources Director Europe
2007 – 2009 Danaher Sensors & Controls, Danaher Corporation, Human Resources Director Europe
2009 – 2014 Leica Microsystems, Danaher Corporation, Human Resources Director EMEA
2014 – 2017 Magna – Magna Interiors, HR Director HR Programs and HR Director Germany
Magna Interiors Global, VP Human Resources
2017 – 2023 JENOPTIK AG, Executive Vice President Global HR
since January 2024 PALFINGER AG, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Joined the PALFINGER Group: 08.01.2024
Supervisory board
HUBERT PALFINGER
After spending 15 years with various companies of the PALFINGER Group, Hubert Palfinger took over the management of Industrieholding GmbH in 2004. He has held a seat on the Supervisory Board of PALFINGER since 2005 and served as Deputy Chairman of the supervisory Board from September 2008 until his appointment as Chairman in 2013.
Born: 1969 in Salzburg
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: married, 2 children
School education: Grammar school, College for Engineering
Professional career:
1990 - 1994 project works – PALFINGER AG
1994 - 1996 export department – Epsilon Kran GmbH
1997 project management - Small Crane Division – PALFINGER AG
1997 - 2000 profit center management – PALFINGER Krantechnik GmbH
2000 - 2002 general management - PALFINGER Tailgate GmbH
2002 - 2003 product-/area-management tailgates – PALFINGER Krantechnik GmbH
2003 - 2005 procurator – PALFINGER AG
02/2004 general management Industrieholding GmbH
10/2004 - 11/2006 chairman of supervisory board - Glassy AG
04/2005 member of supervisory board – PALFINGER AG
10/2008 - 12/2013 deputy chairman of the supervisory board - PALFINGER AG
Honorary Consul for the Croatian Consulate in Salzburg/Austria
Since 10.12.2013 Chairman of the Supervisory Board
GERHARD RAUCH
As Managing Partner of Walser gmbH, Gerhard Rauch has long-standing experience in truck body manufacturing and vehicle construction and has cooperated with the PALFINGER Group in this field for decades. In addition, Gerhard Rauch is co-owner of Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co. OG. since 2016, he has held a seat on the Supervisory Board of PALFINGER AG and has acted as first Deputy Chairman.
Born: 19-07-1963 in Bregenz, Austria
Nationality: Austria
Family Status: divorced; 1 child
Education:
Business school
Master school for vehicle construction
Foreign Languages: English
Current professional career:
Managing partner of Walser GmbH
Managing Partner of Rauch Power Sports GmbH
Managing Partner of COGER GmbH
Administrative president of Walser Schweiz AG (general representative Palfinger)
Chairman of Board of Directors of Walser Zizers AG
Managing partner of Kulhay Yachtwerft GmbH
Managing partner of G.R. Liegenschafts GmbH
Co-owner of Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG
Co-owner of Rauch private foundation
Owner of E.R. private foundation
Since 09-03-2016 Member of the Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG.
Since 06-06-2016 Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG
HANNES PALFINGER
After taking his degree in business sconomics and pursuing a career as an athlete, Hannes Palfinger spent three years working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Vienna as an assistant auditor. From 2007 to 2010, Hannes Palfinger held an executive position at Palfinger Systems GmbH. Hannes Palfinger is Managing Director of Clear Holding GmbH and of Audiodata Lautsprecher gmbH. He has held a seat on the Supervisory Board of PALFINGER AG since 2011 and became Deputy Chairman in 2013.
Born: 03-09-1973 in Salzburg / Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: married, 2 children
School / University:
High school for mathematics, Salzburg
High school for mechanical engineering, final exam 1993
Studies of economics, final degree 2004
Foreign languages: English
Professional career:
1992 - 1999 competitive sports, athletics, sprints, four-time Austrian champion
1989 - 2001 various jobs within the PALFINGER Group
2004 - 2007 auditing assistant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Vienna
2007 - 2010 leading function at Palfinger systems GmbH
Other functions:
Manager of the Clear Consult GmbH in Hallwang/Austria
Manager of the AUDIODATA Lautsprecher GmbH in Salzburg/Austria
Since 30-3-2011 Member of Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG.
Since 10-12-2013 Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG.
Since 06-06-2016 Second Deputy Chairman of Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG.
Sita Monica Mazumder
Born: 30.03.1970
Nationality: Swiss
School / University:
1990 - 1995 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Study Computer Science Engineering
1995 - 1999 University of Zurich, Study economics
2000 - 2001 University of Zurich, PhD at the Swiss Banking Institute
Foreign languages: English, French
Professional career:
1994 - 1999 UBS AG (formerly SBG): Project manager for IT organization and IT rollout
1998 - 2003 Dr. Sita Mazumder Consulting: 1st own consulting firm
Federal Banking Commission (now FINMA): Project Manager Supervision of Banks and Securities Dealers Division
2011 - 2017 comexperts AG, Wallisellen: Senior Partner for Crisis Management and Crisis Communication
2013 – 2017 alphacare AG: Chairman of the Board of Directors
2012 – 2017 Coutts & Co. Ltd: Member of the Board of Directors, Head Compensation Committee
2004 – 2022 ExpertSuisse (formerly Swiss Academy of Auditing): Lecturer Corporate Finance)
2014 – 2022 aeB Switzerland: President of the Board
Since 07-04-2021 Member of the Supervisory Board at PALFINGER AG
Other functions:
Since 2005 Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Business: Professor of Computer Science and Economics Co-Head Algorithmic Business Research Team (AI/ML); Head International Relations
Since 2005 PURPLE Consult GmbH: 2nd own consulting firm
Since 2014 Hiltl AG, (gastronomy group, CHF 30 million revenue, family-owned): Vice President of the Board of Directors
Since 2017 Clientis AG (regional banking group, 14 billion CHF AuM): Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Chair Strategy Committee
Since 2018 Federal Electricity Commission ElCom, Berne (regulator of the Swiss electricity market): Member of the Commission, Chair of the Market Surveillance Committee (since 2020), Prices and Tariffs (2018/2019), Digital Expert
Since 2019 Josef Manner & Comp. AG (Food, EUR 220 million revenue, listed): Member of the Supervisory Board, Chairwoman of the Digitization and Process Committee
Since 2021 Rhgomberg Holding GmbH (construction, 2008 employees, family-owned), member of the Supervisory Board
Since 2022 Helsana AG, (2.2 million insured persons, CHF 8 bn. CHF premium income, largest health and accident insurer in Switzerland): Member of the Board of Directors, Chairwoman of the Process Innovation Digital Committee
HANNES BOGNER
Born: 20-06-1959
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: Married
School/University:
Studies of business administration at the University of Innsbruck (Industrial Management and Business Taxation).
Training as certified auditor and tax advisor
Foreign languages: English, French, Italian
Professional career:
1983 – 1994 business trustee (certified auditor and tax advisor) at Treuhand Salzburg and PwC Pricewaterhousecoopers Vienna
1994 – 1997 division manager finance Bundesländerversicherung AG
1998 – 2016 member of the Management Board of UNIQA Insurance Group AG – CFO/CIO
Other functions:
Member of the Supervisory Board of Oberbank AG
Member of the Supervisory Board of BKS Bank AG
Member of the Supervisory Board of Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg AG
Isabel Diaz Rohr
Isabel Rohr has been working in the area of human resources for 30 years. After working for Badische Stahlwerke GmbH, BMW Rolls-Royce, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Koelnmesse and GETRAG FORD, she made a move to the BENTELER Group in 2009. Initially as VP Human Resources at BENTELER Automotive, then in 2011 as VP Corporate Human Resources at BENTELER AG. In 2016, she became the Chairperson of the Group with around 30,000 employees and sales of EUR 8 billion. In this function, Isabel Diaz Rohr was responsible for HR, IT, and communication. She has been a member of the Supervisory Board of PALFINGER AG since 2020. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Shareholders' Committee and the Supervisory Board of Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA. Isabel Diaz Rohr has been a member of the Advisory Board of ARBURG since 2024.
Born: 1967 in Mayen
Citizenship: Germany / Spain
Family status: married
Ausbildung:
1973 – 1977 German School Bilbao, Spain
1977 – 1986 A.-Martmoeller-Gymnasium, Witten: Abitur
1986 – 1990 Ruhr-University Bochum: Degree Psychologist
Foreign languages: English, Spanish
Professional Experience:
09/90–05/93 Badische Stahlwerke – Human Resources Development Consultant
06/93–12/98 BMW Rolls-Royce – Human Resources Manager for the Dahlewitz Location (1,000 emp.) – Consultant Human Resources Development (06/93–09/96)
01/99–12/99 Rhone-Poulenc Rorer – Human Resources Manager Sales and Marketing
01/00–03/03 Koelnmesse, approx. 500 employees, 200 million - Sales VP Human Resources
04/03–10/09 GETRAG FORD, approx. 5,000 employees (not including China), EUR 1 billion Sales – Human Resources und Corporate Communications Management
As of 11/2009 BENTELER Gruppe, approx. 30,000 employees, EUR 8 billion Sales
11/09–12/10 BENTELER Automotive – VP Human Resources
01/11–12/15 BENTELER International AG – VP Corporate Human Resources
2016 -2020 BENTELER International AG – Member of the Executive Board (HR, IT and Corporate Communications)
since 2020 PALFINGER AG, Member of the Supervisory Board
since 2021 Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA, Member of the Shareholder Committee and Member of the Supervisory Board
since 2024 ARBURG, Member of the Advisory Committee
JOHANNES KÜCHER
Born: 14-11-1963 in Braunau am Inn
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: Married, 2 mature children
School / University:
Primary school and secondary school, polytechnic
Apprenticeship mechanical engineering
Foreman mechanical engineering
Foreign languages: English
Professional career:
With PALFINGER since 1994 (break 2006-2011):
1994 - 1999 Head of Materials Logistics
1999 - 2006 SAP Project Employee (Focus/ FI/CO/MM/WM/QM)
2011 - 2015 SAP Consulting (Focus MM/WM/QM)
Member of PALFINGER works council since 2013
Chairman of PALFINGER Employees Council since 2015
ERWIN ASEN
Born: 22-08-1971 in Salzburg
Nationality: Austrian
Family status: divorced , 2 children
School / University:
Primary school in Schneegattern, secondary school and polytechnic in Friedburg
Training as quality manager and lead auditor
Foreign languages: English
Professional career:
With PALFINGER since 1990
1990 – 1996 CNC milling engineer
1996 – 1997 quality assurance employee in assembly
Since 1997 quality assurance team lead Köstendorf
Works council since 2002
Chairman of the PALFINGER Köstendorfs works council for salaried employees since 2010
Carina Weindl
Born: 20-02-1991 in Salzburg, Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Family Status: single
School/University:
Primary and secondary school in Lochen, polytechnic school in Mattighofen, vocational school in Braunau am Inn and examination at WIFI
Foreign languages: English
Professional career:
With PALFINGER since 2006
2006 – 2009 Apprenticeship industrial clerk, Lengau site
2009 – jetzt Procurement logistics, Köstendorf site
Works council for salaried employees since 2014
