Gerold Linzbach has returned to his role as CEO of Heidelberg after a lengthy absence caused by health issues.
Linzbach had been on sick leave since early in June 2015 and his recovery from undisclosed health problems was “delayed longer than expected,” according to a company statement. The extended recovery time forced the press giant to appoint CFO Dirk Kaliebe as its temporary deputy chairman who took on the chief executive’s duties.
Linzbach returned as chairman of the management board early this month, according to a company press release.
As of the beginning of the year 2016, Gerold Linzbach has returned to his duties as Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Human Resources Officer of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) as planned. Linzbach returns to the company after his recovery to oversee day-to-day business and take up his tasks and duties as normal.
“Over the past months, the board has continued to press forward successfully with the company’s realignment and the company is well on track,” said Dr. Siegfried Jaschinski, chairman of the supervisory board at Heidelberg. “The supervisory board is extremely pleased that Mr. Linzbach has returned to join his colleagues on the management board as they take the next strategic steps.”
Linzbach had been in the job about three years before his extended break and oversaw the launch of Heidelberg’s new brand identity and strategic reorientation. “The new brand identity reinforces the customer benefits that Heidelberg is offering through its all-inclusive portfolio of digital and offset printing, workflows, consumables, and services,” he said at the time.
He has downsized the company's iconic participation in this year's drupa, resisting pressure to take the "Heidelberg Hall.' After lots of negotiations Hall One will still exhibit Heidelberg equipment but there will also be an Open House at the company's Wiesloch HQ, three hours away where a complete survey of its products will be on show during drupa. The intention to ferry visitors from the Düsseldorf show has annoyed other exhibitors.
