GER | ENG

New CEO in Dačice – Richard Auer takes the helm of our Czech plant to continue growth in Eastern Europe.

Dačice /Coburg. Since 09/01/2016 Richard Auer is the new CEO of GAUDLITZ Precision s.r.o in Dačice (Czech Republic), a 100% subsidiary of the GAUDLITZ GmbH.

After successfully completing his studies, the 42-year old engineer, who was born in Třebíč (approx. 30 km from Dačice), worked for a former Siemens subsidiary in Munich. Afterwards he started his successful career path at Mann+Hummel s.r.o. in the Czech Republic, where he worked his way up through various departments. Starting as a Financial Controller, becoming the spearhead of the Finance Department (CFO), and eventually taking over as the Managing Director of an entire branch, which he built up from zero to 280 employees. After working at M+H, it was important to Mr. Auer to remain true to the automotive industry and especially to his roots. "Therefore, the job at GAUDLITZ was the perfect next challenge", the engineer said.

With his distinct set of language skills and the extended executive experience in the automotive sector, Mr. Auer will make a tremendous contribution as the new CEO to our subsidiary in Dačice– which is already a major pillar of the GAUDLITZ Group in Eastern Europe with the core competences; LSR overmolding, assembly of plugs and of electronic components in an ESD manufacturing area.

The new CEO is certain that especially the Eastern European market has a considerable potential of growth. “The Czech Republic and its neighboring countries are currently experiencing a clear economic boom with an annual increase of GDP of four to five percent. Particularly in the automotive sector the local companies can demonstrate a significant growth. With our numerous customers in Eastern Europe and our expertise in plastics, we complement and extent the portfolio within the group. From Dačice, the neighboring countries like Slovakia and the Ukraine are easily accessible, thus the location also offers a big advantage from a logistical point of view", the CEO explains.

"The long-term strategy of the plant is growth. Therefore we have to acquire new projects in the medium term to utilize the newly established capacities. This also means, supporting the technical know-how-transfer from our headquarter in Coburg, to organically steer and enhance our growth in the long term.”

Mr. Auer highlights the great support coming from the headquarter during his first weeks, and he is already convinced that the company strategy will have a promising future.

"My first impressions are very positive. I am especially thrilled with the support of the colleagues in Coburg, but also with the positive energy that the strategy is being implemented with."­

At this point, we would like to say "welcome to the team" and are looking forward to a constructive and friendly collaboration.