Management succession confirmed by glass container machinery specialist
After 15 years as President at Bucher Emhart Glass, Martin Jetter is handing over to Matthias Kümmerle, who has headed the company’s technology efforts since 2011. The change will take effect on 1 January 2021.
Martin Jetter has been President of Bucher Emhart Glass since January 2006. In parallel, until 2013 he managed the automation company Jetter, which he founded independently. Bucher Industries acquired a stake in Jetter in 2005 and took over the company in 2013.
Mr Jetter’s commitment and vision helped him to convince customers of superior system solutions for glass container production. On this basis, a partnership was established with O-I in 2013, while China’s market leader Sanjin was acquired in 2011. This was followed by continuous modernisation of the company.
In Matthias Kümmerle, a highly qualified internal successor has been found to head Bucher Emhart Glass. He studied mechanical engineering at the ETH in Zurich and after completing his doctorate at the EPFL in Lausanne, he worked for three years as R&D Project Manager at Bucher Emhart Glass, before completing an MBA at IMD. He then worked for Hilti in Liechtenstein and in China.
Since 2011, he has been Head of Technology at Bucher Emhart Glass, with responsibility for driving innovation projects. He plays a key role in implementing the ‘End to End’ strategy that forms the basis for the division's current and future success.
In a separate announcement, the company has decided in the best interests of customers and employees not to participate at glasstec 2020 exhibition this October. “It was a disappointing decision for us, as glasstec is an important portal and the most important exhibition to meet and greet our customers and partners and to exchange views and opinions” says Werner Gessner, VP Sales and Marketing. “We believe though that it is our duty to respect the health and safety of our customers and employees in these difficult times and to think of other ways to keep connected with the glass industry to convey news, trends and solutions and to strengthen our partnerships. We are very much looking forward to glasstec 2022.”
According to Mr Gessner, Emhart understands the need to bring new developments to the market and to properly and personally keep customers informed. “We are therefore working on regional events in early 2021 to connect with our customers and partners and to personally show the glass industry our developments, improvements and innovations.”
Additionally, the company has extended its FlexIS Remote Service free-of-charge until year end 2020. Emhart has also increased its offering for phone and remote support for its forming and inspection equipment to support operations remotely.
Image: Martin Jetter (left) and Matthias Kümmerle (right).