The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG has appointed Susanna Schneeberger (44) as a member of the executive board for a term of five years starting October 1, 2018. Ms. Schneeberger will assume strategic responsibility for the KION segment Supply Chain Solutions and, as chief digital officer (CDO), will be responsible for managing the group-wide activities aimed at digitalizing and networking products and processes and further development of the IT systems.
The expansion of the executive board to include a fifth member is part of the KION 2027 strategy presented in February. The KION Group strategy aims at further consolidating its position as a leading integrated provider of industrial trucks and warehouse automation technology and software. The group has launched several initiatives to drive forward the development of digitalized customer solutions, robotics and automation, in particular. KION is also forging ahead with the alignment of its internal processes with the digital economy.
Most recently, Ms. Schneeberger was executive vice president and member of the executive board at Konecranes Plc. Her responsibilities included among others corporate strategy, M&A and business development. From 2015 onward, she led DEMAG’s global business as CEO and managing director, when the company was still part of the Terex Corporation. Between 2007 and 2014, she held several positions at Trelleborg AB, initially as director of strategic business development and, from 2011, as vice president of sales & marketing in the business area industrial solutions. Prior to that, she worked in the software industry from 2000 to 2006 and for a global media company from 1997 to 1999. Ms. Schneeberger studied in Sweden, the USA, and Germany, and has a Master of Science in International Business Administration and a Master of European Affairs (MBA) from Lund University. She is married and has three children.
John Feldmann, chairman of the supervisory board at KION GROUP AG, said, “We are delighted that, in Susanna Schneeberger, we have found an internationally experienced leader with broad expertise gained in global capital goods and software businesses for our executive board. She combines wide-ranging knowledge of the lifting and material handling industry with extensive experience in software and digitalization.”
Gordon Riske, chief executive officer of the KION Group, said, “Susanna Schneeberger will further develop KION Group’s leadership position in the supply chain solutions market, and will use her broad experience in digital business transformation to push forward the group’s digital strategy. I very much look forward to working with her.”
