wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative, ecological solutions for the building envelope and infrastructure, announced today that Heimo Scheuch has stepped down as CEO with immediate effect due to personal health reasons. The Supervisory Board accepted his decision and appointed Gerhard Hanke, currently COO Central & East and Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board, as Interim CEO. The company has begun a structured search for a permanent successor.
This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for wienerberger, which has undergone a fundamental transformation under Scheuch's 17-year tenure. When he took the helm in 2009, the company was primarily a brick manufacturer. Today, it is a diversified group with more than 20,000 employees, a strong presence in water and energy infrastructure, and a clear sustainability agenda. The company reported revenues of EUR 4.6 billion and an operating EBITDA of approximately EUR 754 million in 2025, with more than 200 production sites across Europe and North America.
Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed profound gratitude for Scheuch's achievements: "On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I want to express my profound gratitude to Heimo for what he has built in 17 years as CEO. When he took the helm in 2009, wienerberger was a brick manufacturer. Today, it is a leading international group... This successful transformation is his achievement. We deeply respect his decision to prioritize his health, and we wish him a full and swift recovery." Steiner also voiced confidence in the interim leadership: "Gerhard Hanke is an experienced, deeply trusted leader who knows every dimension of wienerberger. With him, we are well positioned to ensure continuity and pursue our goals while we conduct a thorough search for the right successor."
Gerhard Hanke brings over 25 years of experience at wienerberger to his new role. He served as CFO from 2021 to 2025, has been COO Central & East since March 2025, and has served as Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board since June 2026. His deep familiarity with the company's operations and financials is expected to provide stability during this transition. The responsibilities of Dagmar Steinert (CFO) and Harald Schwarzmayr (COO West) remain unchanged.
Scheuch, who has been with wienerberger for thirty years, said: "wienerberger has been my home for thirty years – from my first days as an assistant to leading this group as CEO. I would like to thank our customers, business partners and shareholders as well as the Supervisory Board, my fellow Managing Board members, and the global wienerberger team for their trust and commitment over the past years. We have achieved a great deal together, and I am proud of every step. I had looked forward to continuing as CEO as planned, but the time has come to focus on my health. I am leaving the company in the best possible hands and have no doubt that wienerberger will continue its success story."
The announcement raises questions about the future strategic direction of the company, especially given the industry's shift towards sustainability and digitalization. However, the appointment of an insider with extensive operational and financial experience suggests a desire for continuity. The company is expected to provide further updates on its strategic plans and the CEO search in the coming months. wienerberger will present its results for the second quarter and first half of 2026 as planned on 12 August 2026, which will be closely watched by investors and industry analysts for any signs of strategic shifts.
