Nabaltec AG has announced significant changes to its Management Board, with Dirk A. Müller appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer to succeed Gunther Spitzer, who will retire after nearly 45 years with the company. The transition, effective December 1, 2026, comes alongside a five-year contract extension for CEO Johannes Heckmann, reinforcing management continuity at the specialty chemicals manufacturer. Gunther Spitzer, who has served as CFO since 2017, will not extend his contract beyond its December 31, 2026 expiration date. Johannes Heckmann, CEO of Nabaltec AG, stated that Müller brings extensive financial management experience and familiarity with the company through his service on Nabaltec's Supervisory Board since 2024. "This familiarity will enable a quick and smooth transition to the role of CFO and will provide valuable impetus for the further development of Nabaltec," Heckmann explained.
Dirk A. Müller's professional background includes business administration studies in Münster and early career experience at Ernst & Young in Düsseldorf, including a two-year assignment in Boston. His career progressed through financial leadership roles at Jackstadt GmbH, A.T.U in Weiden, SiC Processing GmbH, and the Onlineprinters Group. Since September 2024, he has served as Group CFO of the Cologne-based Swash Group. Müller holds qualifications as an auditor, tax consultant, and CPA, and will step down from Nabaltec's Supervisory Board on November 30, 2026, before assuming his new role. As CFO, Müller will assume sole responsibility for Finance/Controlling, Administration and Information Technology from January 1, 2027. Until that date, Nabaltec's Management Board will operate as a four-member board during a transitional period. The company's product information and business details are available through its corporate communications at https://www.nabaltec.de.
Gerhard Witzany, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed regret at Spitzer's departure while acknowledging his substantial contributions. "Mr. Spitzer has made a significant contribution to Nabaltec's development in nearly 45 years with the company - as a true home-grown talent - with a high level of expertise, reliability and great personal commitment," Witzany stated. The Supervisory Board's simultaneous extension of CEO Johannes Heckmann's contract by five years represents what the board describes as "another clear signal of stability and continuity in the company's management." Nabaltec AG manufactures specialized products based on aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide through its "Functional Fillers" and "Specialty Aluminas" segments. The company produces eco-friendly flame retardant fillers for applications in infrastructure and electronics, along with additives for catalysis and electric vehicles.
With production sites in Germany and the United States, Nabaltec aims to expand its market position through capacity expansion, process optimization, and strategic product development. The management changes occur as the company pursues market leadership in its specialty segments. This transition matters because it represents a carefully planned succession strategy that maintains institutional knowledge while bringing fresh perspective to financial leadership. The simultaneous CEO contract extension provides stability during a period of change, which is particularly important for a company operating in specialized chemical markets where long-term relationships and consistent strategy are crucial. The appointment of an internal candidate who already understands Nabaltec's operations through supervisory board service minimizes disruption risks and ensures continuity in financial management during a period when the company is expanding its market position. These management decisions signal Nabaltec's commitment to maintaining strong leadership as it competes in growing markets for eco-friendly flame retardants and electric vehicle additives, where financial stability and strategic consistency can provide competitive advantages.
