Steyr Motors AG will propose Rolf Wirtz and Gerhard Schwartz as new members of its Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 10 April 2026. This governance change follows the November 2025 sale of the entire stake held by former major shareholder Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, which resulted in the departure of its representatives from the board. The company aims to fill these vacancies with individuals possessing specific expertise critical to its strategic direction in customized engines for mission-critical defense and civil applications.
The proposed appointments carry significant implications for Steyr Motors' governance and future trajectory. Rolf Wirtz, a former CEO of TKMS with extensive defense sector experience, is designated to become Chairman of the Supervisory Board. His background is expected to provide crucial support to the Management Board as the company expands its business in both military and civil sectors. Gerhard Schwartz, a recognized financial expert and former managing partner at EY, is slated to head the audit committee. His role will focus on strengthening the company's financial and control functions to support further organizational growth.
In addition to the new nominees, the company proposes the re-election of Alexander Fitzka, an Investment Manager from the B&C Group who has served on the board since August 2025. This combination of continuity and fresh perspective is designed to create a balanced supervisory body. CEO Julian Cassutti expressed confidence in the proposed board's ability to provide optimal support and supervision for the company's next growth steps, while also thanking the outgoing members for their cooperation.
The governance changes come at a pivotal time for Steyr Motors, which specializes in customized engines for mission-critical defense and civil applications. The company's engines power military vehicles, boats, and serve as auxiliary power units for main battle tanks and locomotives. With the relevant meeting documents now available on the company's Investor Relations section at https://ir.steyr-motors.com, shareholders will have the opportunity to review the proposals ahead of the April meeting. The original announcement was published on https://www.newmediawire.com.
This board restructuring represents more than routine corporate housekeeping; it signals a deliberate shift in oversight philosophy following a major ownership change. By bringing in Wirtz's defense industry leadership and Schwartz's capital market acumen, Steyr Motors is positioning itself for enhanced strategic guidance and financial discipline. The company's focus on high-performance, customized engines for critical applications requires specialized governance expertise, particularly as global defense spending patterns evolve and civil applications for durable power solutions expand. The proposed board composition suggests a clear intent to leverage deep industry knowledge while maintaining rigorous financial oversight as the company navigates its next phase of development.
