wienerberger, a leading international provider of ecological building and infrastructure solutions, announced on August 10, 2026, that Heimo Scheuch has resigned as CEO with immediate effect due to personal health reasons. The Supervisory Board 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 has initiated a structured search for a permanent successor.
Scheuch's departure marks the end of an era. He served as CEO since 2009, leading the company through a fundamental transformation from a traditional brick manufacturer into a diversified group spanning the entire building envelope and water and energy infrastructure. Under his leadership, wienerberger expanded its geographic footprint across Europe and North America, grew its workforce to over 20,000 employees, and achieved revenues of EUR 4.6 billion with an operating EBITDA of approximately EUR 754 million in 2025. His tenure is widely credited with positioning the company as a sustainability leader in the construction materials industry.
The timing of the leadership change is notable. wienerberger is scheduled to present its second quarter and first half 2026 results on August 12, just two days after the announcement. The interim CEO, Gerhard Hanke, brings over 25 years of experience within the company. He served as CFO from 2021 to 2025, has been COO Central & East since March 2025, and became Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board in June 2026. His familiarity with both financial and operational aspects of the business is expected to ensure a smooth transition. The responsibilities of CFO Dagmar Steinert and COO West Harald Schwarzmayr remain unchanged.
Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed gratitude for Scheuch's contributions, stating: "On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I want to express my profound gratitude to Heimo for what he has built in 17 years as CEO. 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." Steiner also voiced confidence in Hanke, noting: "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."
Scheuch himself reflected on his tenure, saying: "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."
The sudden leadership change raises questions about the company's strategic direction, but analysts note that Hanke's appointment ensures continuity. The company's focus on sustainable construction and infrastructure projects remains a key growth driver, and its diversified portfolio across building materials, pipe systems, and facade products provides resilience. The upcoming interim results will be closely watched to gauge the company's performance amid the leadership transition.
