Thomas Geitner, a member of the Henkel Management Board since March 1, 2008, will assume responsibility for the Adhesives Technologies business sector effective mid-June. As previously announced in February 2008, Alois Linder, executive vice president, Adhesives Technologies, will resign from his office at his own request.

“The integration process of the recently acquired National Starch businesses has started excellently,” said  Kasper Rorsted, chief executive officer of Henkel. “Alois Linder's decision to hand over his office at an earlier date is an important step to maintain both the speed and continuity of this major project. I am convinced that Thomas Geitner will successfully continue the further development and internationalization of our Adhesives businesses."

Geitner has had a successful career in the technologies and telecommunication businesses. Following assignments at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and Leybold AG, he was a member of the Management Board of RWE AG. Subsequently, Geitner was a member of the Board of Directors of Vodafone Group PLC in the UK for almost seven years, during which time he was responsible for the successful integration of the former Mannesmann businesses, the creation of the worldwide Vodafone brand, the development of global products and the consolidation of both worldwide infrastructure and purchasing.

In his nearly 30 years with Henkel, Alois Linder has been successful in various functions. In 2002, he was appointed executive vice president, Consumer and Craftsmen Adhesives. In 2007, Linder led the merger of the Henkel Adhesives and Technologies business sectors. Since then, he has headed Adhesives Technologies, Henkel's largest business sector.