Schottel Names New CEO, Creates New Business Groups

Schottel, the German manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications, has appointed Stefan Kaul as chief executive officer and president industrial operations.

The appointment follows the departure of Christian Strahberger, who has decided to leave the company. Kaul joined the company in 1989 and has held several key positions in research and hydrodynamics. Kaul has built up a large experience within the marine propulsion business. Since 2007, Kaul has held the position of chief technology officer (CTO) and was responsible for all engineering activities.

Schottel also announced that it will create two business focus areas designed to increase the company operational effectiveness and further increase the focus on delivering customer value.

The Industrial Operations business area will help ensure effective processes for customer deliveries, while the business focus area Marine will focus on all global sales, marketing and services activities and customer contacts. Besides his duties as CEO, Kaul will also lead the business area Industrial Operations.

In connection with the changes in business structure, Hans Laheij has been appointed deputy CEO & president Marine. Laheij joined the company in 2016 and has since then held the position of vice president of Sales & Marketing. Laheij has a long working experience in the Maritime business and previously worked in various commercial and project management roles at Lips Propulsion and Wärtsilä Marine Solutions. He was working in Asia and stationed in Shanghai, China before moving to Germany to join Schottel.

“With this change, we will be able to further focus on delivering customer value and optimize our design, manufacturing and delivery processes,” said Gerhard Jensen, CEO of Schottel Industries.