As announced today by SUSS
MicroTec Frank Averdung will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer
of SUSS MicroTec AG effective starting February 1, 2009. The Company's Supervisory
Board appointed Mr. Averdung to the Management Board of SUSS MicroTec AG in
November 2008. Mr. Averdung was originally to take over his duties as Chief
Executive Officer beginning June 1, 2009. The former Managing Director of Carl
Zeiss SMS GmbH will thus take office four months earlier than planned.
In his position, the graduate electrical engineer will be responsible for the
areas of sales, marketing, production and corporate strategy.
“We are pleased that Frank Averdung is able to assume the position of
Chief Executive Officer early. His extensive industry and marketing experience
will be invaluable to the strategic advancement of the Company. We are convinced
that Mr. Averdung is the right person to successfully lead the SUSS MicroTec
Group to the next level of development in the coming growth period,” remarked
Dr. Franz Richter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Christian Schubert, who took temporary office on October 2, 2008, will remain
on the Management Board until the end of his appointment on May 31, 2009 and
will primarily address the continued optimization of the management of purchasing
and procurement as well as materials.
“2009 will not be an easy year for the SUSS MicroTec Group. The global
economic crisis has already left its mark on the semiconductor industry. I am
nevertheless confident that with the solid foundation of our leading technological
product portfolio and timely introduction of cost-reduction measures, we are
well positioned to successfully master this challenge,” explained Frank
Averdung, Chief Executive Officer of SUSS MicroTec AG, on assuming his position.