Montag, 29. Juni 2026
Exactly one year ago today, I informed employees, shareholders, friends, acquaintances, and all other stakeholders that I was stepping down from my position at Aluminiumwerk Unna AG. What had happened? A few days earlier—and thus just before my then-current term on the Executive Board was set to expire—I received an offer from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aluminiumwerk Unna AG to serve for three more years on the Executive Board to continue driving the company’s development forward. This appointment came with an offer to remain with the company under significantly improved terms. In retrospect, this was a highly gratifying offer from a financial standpoint, one that also served as a clear “pat on the back—well done!” for me.
Originally, starting in late 2018, I intended to help the company for just two years to reestablish sound structures, avert a serious economic downturn, and make urgently needed investments in infrastructure and machinery, as well as in the development of the core workforce. Then came the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s invasion and the resulting turmoil in the energy markets, and then the political chaos surrounding the Green Party’s climate policies—all of which motivated me to stick with it year after year and do my best to help.
With the economic successes of recent years, success has once again found its true home: a team of intelligent and motivated individuals who, working together, shoulder the burden of leading the company with exceptional success. Supported by a key shareholder who, to this day, has not burdened the company with dividend payments, this combination of factors creates the conditions that make sustainable, successful business operations possible.
Now that I’m 61 years old, I’d like to try something new—not just settle into a comfortable routine—and start projects that will yield results quickly, often very quickly. The projects for the coming years at Aluminiumwerk Unna AG have already been identified in principle and are being implemented step by step. Given the limited number of people involved in these projects relative to the total number of projects, it was foreseeable that the pace of improvements and restructuring I had hoped for could not have been achieved—or, rather, that the same colleagues, who were already under immense strain, would have been put under even greater pressure.
As an active minority shareholder, I’m closely following the progress of my former company, and I’m delighted, along with my now former colleagues, about the amazing journey this company is on.
For me, July 1, 2026, will mark the start of a new phase in my professional life—following 12 months of self-reflection—with a focus on efficiency consulting and, above all, my beloved role as an activist partner in our portfolio companies.
Stay tuned to follow the progress of our small family-owned business. From time to time, we’ll keep you updated on our current projects right here.
Good Luck!
