Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 10, 2026
wienerberger CEO Heimo Scheuch Steps Down for Health; Hanke Takes Interim Role
TLDR
- Wienerberger's CEO resignation may signal strategic shifts, but interim CEO Gerhard Hanke ensures continuity, maintaining investor confidence and market position.
- Wienerberger's Supervisory Board appointed Gerhard Hanke as interim CEO, leveraging his 25-year tenure and COO/Central East role, while launching a structured search for a permanent successor.
- CEO Heimo Scheuch's health-driven resignation highlights the importance of personal well-being, with the board's supportive response fostering a caring corporate culture.
- Did you know Wienerberger, a brick maker, transformed into a global building solutions leader under Heimo Scheuch, generating EUR 4.6 billion in 2025 revenue?
Impact - Why it Matters
This leadership change at wienerberger is significant because it affects a major player in the building materials and infrastructure sectors. Heimo Scheuch's departure could influence the company's strategic direction, especially its focus on sustainability and ecological solutions. Investors, employees, and customers will watch how Interim CEO Gerhard Hanke navigates this transition and whether the company's growth trajectory continues. The news also highlights the importance of health in leadership, and the smooth handover demonstrates robust corporate governance, ensuring stability and continuity. For the industry, wienerberger's continued success is vital for innovation in sustainable construction and infrastructure, impacting housing, water management, and energy efficiency across Europe and North America.
Summary
In a significant leadership transition, wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative, ecological solutions for the building envelope and infrastructure, announced that Heimo Scheuch is stepping down as CEO with immediate effect due to personal health reasons. After 17 years at the helm, Scheuch requested an early termination of his mandate, which the Supervisory Board accepted. Gerhard Hanke, who has been with the company for over 25 years and currently serves as COO Central & East and Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board, has been appointed Interim CEO. Hanke previously served as CFO from 2021 to 2025, bringing extensive experience to the role. The responsibilities of CFO Dagmar Steinert and COO West Harald Schwarzmayr remain unchanged, ensuring stability during the transition. wienerberger is conducting a structured search for a permanent successor, with results for Q2 and H1 2026 to be presented as planned on August 12, 2026.
Scheuch's departure marks the end of an era for wienerberger, as he led the company's transformation from a traditional brick manufacturer into a diversified international group with more than 20,000 employees, a strong presence in water and energy infrastructure, and a clear sustainability agenda. Under his leadership, wienerberger expanded its geographic footprint and solidified its position as the world's largest brick producer and a market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe. The company generated revenues of EUR 4.6 billion and an operating EBITDA of approximately EUR 754 million in 2025. Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed profound gratitude for Scheuch's contributions, acknowledging his role in building a resilient business model spanning the entire building envelope and infrastructure. Steiner also expressed confidence in Hanke's ability to ensure continuity and pursue the company's goals during the search for a permanent CEO. Scheuch thanked customers, partners, shareholders, and the global team for their trust and commitment, stating that he leaves the company in the best possible hands. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time as wienerberger continues to focus on innovative, ecological solutions for sustainable living, as detailed in the original release on NEWMEDIAWIRE.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, wienerberger CEO Heimo Scheuch Steps Down for Health; Hanke Takes Interim Role
