Finance expert Markus Unterstein appointed CFO and COO of Kögel

Generational change at Kögel Trailer GmbH: Markus Unterstein joins the Burtenbach-based vehicle manufacturer as future CFO and COO with immediate effect.

Together with Kögel CEO, Christian Renners, the incoming CFO will consolidate the cooperation between individual Kögel business areas and further strengthen Kögel’s position in the international market.

From February 2023, Mr. Unterstein (45) will take over the position of CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and COO (Chief Operating Officer) in Kögel’s senior management. Working alongside Kögel CEO, Christian Renners, he will thus be responsible for the areas of purchasing, finance/controlling, IT and Human Resources at the long-standing vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Burtenbach, Germany. They will also continue to develop operations under their joint leadership. The new appointee, who holds a degree in management economics and completed a vocational training program to become an industrial manager, replaces the previous CFO, Thomas Heckel (62), as the latter begins his well-earned retirement. This move will guarantee a smooth and structured handover.
Similar to Thomas Heckel, the incoming CFO will also fill the same position at sister company, Humbaur GmbH. Gersthofen business man Ulrich Humbaur is the owner of both trailer and body manufacturers. This dual role will enable both companies to improve synergies in the areas of purchasing and IT infrastructure for example.

Finance expert with many years of experience in management positions
Markus Unterstein is a successful finance expert and can look back on a long career in managerial positions. His most recent role, which he held for more than ten years, was as CFO on the executive board of an international, family-owned mechanical engineering business, which has its headquarters in Munich, Germany. Prior to that, he was head of purchasing and finance, and member of the executive board, with a supplier company in the automotive, industrial and pharmaceutical sector.

Consolidate the interaction between business units and deepen process understanding

Mr. Unterstein explains “Commercial vehicles and vehicle manufacturing have always fascinated me. I appreciate the high visibility of the products on the street and how useful they are in everyday life. That is why I was very enthusiastic to take on this job at Kögel”. He goes on to say: “Kögel offers products and services of a very high quality. Furthermore, the company has exceptional growth potential. I am very excited to be able to help achieve that potential. I aim to approach this task with great energy, working closely with Kögel CEO, Christian Renners, and the entire Kögel team.” In addition to operations, the finance expert also plans to bring his expertise to the area of human resources. Markus Unterstein will therefore work to attract skilled workers to the economically strong German region of Bayerisch-Schwaben, to promote talent and to motivate all of the Kögel team with progressive measures.

For his part, Kögel CEO, Christian Renners says “I am delighted that Markus Unterstein is joining Kögel management. Together we will continue to develop Kögel dynamically and deepen our understanding of the process so that we can achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves on the international market. Our primary focus here is on the strategic alignment of the various business units”. Markus Unterstein’s in-depth business knowledge and exceptional passion for industrial products and technology, as well as his operational capabilities will help achieve that goal.