Tomas Smetana becomes new CTO

ebm-papst in the process of transformation

Smetana comes from automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler, where he has held various management positions worldwide since 2001, including in Japan and China. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, he was responsible for the global innovation strategy of the Schaeffler Group in Herzogenaurach. Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, who, in addition to his role as CEO, had also led the development division as CTO on an interim basis following the departure of Dr. Stephan Arnold, says: "Tomas Smetana is an outstanding research and development manager with a global network. He is the ideal person for our ongoing transformation process of our "Building the future together" strategy. With his expertise, he will further develop our product portfolio in a strategic and future-oriented manner with a focus on sustainability and intelligence."

The representatives of the shareholder families Chloë McCracken, Jan Philippiak and Ralf Sturm and the ebm-papst Supervisory Board are delighted with the appointment of Prof. Dr. Tomas Smetana. They are convinced that Tomas Smetana, as an innovation expert, will lead the company into a continued successful future together with the existing Executive Management Board.

Technologies for the ventilation and heating industry

Tomas Smetana emphasizes that ebm-papst has an excellent global reputation as a technology leader in fans and drive systems and is known for innovation and humanity. "With its new corporate strategy, which clearly focuses on sustainable and smart solutions for climate change, ebm-papst is not only transforming itself, but also the global ventilation and heating industry. I am very much looking forward to driving these challenging and innovative technologies forward together with the ebm-papst team in the future."

Sport and art

Tomas Smetana studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Prague and completed his doctorate in this field at the Technical University in Chemnitz. Smetana began his professional career in 2001 as a team leader in research and development at Schaeffler in Herzogenaurach. Born in the Czech Republic, he is a fan of technology, is interested in art and history, is an enthusiastic endurance athlete and enjoys traveling.