On Friday, November 1, 2024, a new executive leadership team took over the management of the Dr. Neidlinger Holding GmbH companies, WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH and ZELU CHEMIE GmbH.

Dr. Frank Naumann will be the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Wevo-Chemie and Zelu Chemie. He is joined on the new management board for both companies by Jochen Frank, Marcus Rausch, and Daniel Thomas. Jochen Frank, previously CEO of Wevo-Chemie, will have global responsibility for research and development as chief technology officer. Marcus Rausch, former chief financial officer of Wevo, is now taking on this role for both companies. Daniel Thomas, previously CEO of Zelu, will be coordinating group operations as chief operating officer. The management team is based at the new Wevo-Chemie headquarters in Ostfildern-Kemnat, Germany. 

The appointment of Naumann and the joint management of Wevo-Chemie and Zelu Chemie is part of the organizational development strategy to form a global corporate group. This will consolidate the group’s international presence, enable it to focus on product development, and allow the efficient use of organizational synergies.

Naumann has a solid management track record in the chemical industry. After holding senior management positions at Henkel KGaA and Neste Oil, he was most recently CEO of the CHT Group in Tübingen, Germany, where he played a key role in driving the company’s international growth. His experience in research and development as well as in sales makes him the ideal person to lead Wevo and Zelu into the next growth phase.

Naumann commented on the current challenges facing the companies, “I’m excited to be taking the organization forward towards the next steps of its development. Combining the strengths of Wevo and Zelu is necessary in order to cater to the regional demands of our markets and offer excellent products and solutions to our customers around the world.”

“We’re delighted to have Dr. Frank Naumann on board as part of the new senior leadership team,” said Florian Neidlinger, managing partner of Dr. Neidlinger Holding. Managing Partner Christian Neidlinger added, “With his strategic vision and many years of experience in the operational side of the business, Dr Naumann will play a key role in further strengthening our companies and consolidating their market position.”

Dr. Neidlinger Holding, based in Ostfildern-Kemnat near Stuttgart, is the family-run holding of an international corporate group. At the heart of the group are WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH and ZELU-CHEMIE GmbH – two companies with recognized expertise in the development and production of highly specialized chemical products. Learn more about WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH at www.wevo-chemie.com. Additional information about ZELU CHEMIE GmbH is available at www.zelu-chemie.com.