Manuel Mohr has succeeded Dr Martin Schneider as chief executive of the German Cement Works Association (VDZ), effective 1 November 2026. Dr Jörg Rickert will serve alongside him as chief technology officer.

Mohr has led VDZ’s Policy and Economics division for 15 years and is also managing director of InformationsZentrum Beton. Rickert joined VDZ in 1996 and has served as managing director of VDZ Technology gGmbH and head of its Cement Chemistry department.

Schneider is due to retire at the end of November following 35 years with VDZ and the German cement industry.

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Under its new leadership, VDZ said it would continue addressing the economic, political and technical conditions affecting investment in cement production. The transition towards climate-neutral and resource-efficient cement and concrete production will remain a central area of its work.

Founded almost 150 years ago, VDZ represents approximately 20 German cement manufacturers operating around 50 production sites. Its Düsseldorf-based research and technical organisation employs more than 200 people.