Datwyler announces leadership succession plan

Altdorf, Switzerland – Datwyler Holding has named Volker Cwielong as its next chief executive officer, the Swiss group announced 5 Oct.

Cwielong will succeed Dirk Lambrecht, who is leaving the group after seven years as CEO and 18 years in executive management.

Cwielong will be proposed for election to the board of directors at the upcoming general meeting on 14 March 2024 and once voted in, will take over the position 1 April.

Datwyler's in-coming CEO is currently in charge of the Purem division of German automotive supplier Eberspacher, which specialises in exhaust technology and acoustic solutions.

An industrial engineer with an MSc degree and MBA, Cwielong has been a part of Eberspacher Group's management team since 2017.

As co-CEO of Purem, he has been responsible for sales of around €2 billion as well as for more than 7,000 employees at over 40 sites on three continents.

He brings with him expertise in future mobility and solutions for fuel cell applications and hydrogen motors, added Datwyler's announcement.

Prior to joining Eberspacher, Cwielong worked for Hoerbiger, SaarGummi and Brose Fahrzeugteile.

Cwielong’s remit is to help Datwyler “seize profitable growth opportunities” on the back of investments in production capacities and acquisitions in healthcare and 'connectors' sectors.

“Volker Cwielong has broad business experience that also includes the successful market launch of new product lines, acquisitions and reorganisations,” said Datwyler chairman Paul Haelg.

Datwyler directors will also propose in the next general assembly to appoint the outgoing CEO Lambrecht as a member of the board.

Lambert, who joined Datwyler’s executive management in spring 2005 as head of the sealing technologies division has been credited with streamlining the group’s businesses.

He became the group CEO in 2017 and, following the divestment of the group's online distribution business, restructured Datwyler into a more “focused company”.