wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative and ecological building envelope and infrastructure solutions, announced on August 10, 2026, that Heimo Scheuch is stepping down as CEO with immediate effect due to personal health reasons. After more than 17 years at the helm, Scheuch asked the Supervisory Board to accept the early termination of his mandate. The Supervisory Board has accepted his decision and appointed Gerhard Hanke, currently Chief Operating Officer Central & East and Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board, as Interim CEO. The company is now conducting a structured search for a permanent successor.
Gerhard Hanke brings more than 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. The responsibilities of Dagmar Steinert (CFO) and Harald Schwarzmayr (COO West) remain unchanged, ensuring stability during this transition.
Heimo Scheuch has been CEO of wienerberger since 2009, leading the company through a fundamental strategic transformation from a traditional brick manufacturer into a leading international provider of innovative and ecological building material and infrastructure solutions across Europe and North America. Under his leadership, wienerberger significantly expanded its geographic footprint and built a strong position in water and energy infrastructure alongside its core building envelope business.
Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the entire board: "When he took the helm in 2009, wienerberger was a brick manufacturer. Today, it is a leading international group with more than 20,000 employees, a resilient business model spanning the entire building envelope and infrastructure, and a clear sustainability agenda. This successful transformation is his achievement. We deeply respect his decision to prioritize his health, and we wish him a full and swift recovery. 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."
Heimo Scheuch added: "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."
This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for wienerberger, which has been at the forefront of sustainable building solutions. The company has positioned itself as a key player in addressing climate challenges through innovative products like clay bricks, roof tiles, and pipe systems that contribute to energy efficiency and water management. The announcement also precedes the release of wienerberger's second quarter and first half 2026 results, scheduled for August 12, 2026, which will be closely watched by investors to gauge the company's performance amid leadership transition.
The resignation of a long-serving CEO often raises questions about strategic direction and continuity. However, with Gerhard Hanke's deep operational knowledge and the board's confidence in him, wienerberger aims to maintain momentum. The structured search for a permanent successor indicates that the company is committed to finding a leader who can build on Scheuch's legacy and drive future growth. For more information, visit the original press release at NewMediaWire.
