Following the official approval of the strategic partnership between the Schwarzmüller Group and the KRONE Commercial Vehicle Group by the European antitrust authorities at the end of December, both companies are presenting a new structure for their future cooperation. The partnership combines the strengths of both companies and ensures stability and a clear customer focus.
As part of the process, the Supervisory Board of the Schwarzmüller Group was reorganised. It now consists of leading representatives from both partner companies, who will support the strategic development of the independent Schwarzmüller and Hüffermann brands with their expertise. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Stefan Binnewies, these include Beate Paletar, Dr. David Frink and Martin Lehner. Anna Lucia Paletar and Ole Klose, as well as the employee representatives Karl Neulinger and Raphael Weigerstorfer, are also represented in the Austrian committee structure. Schwarzmüller's management team, consisting of Wolfgang Muhri (CEO), Daniela Lorenzer (CFO) and Maik Spindler (CSO), has been expanded to include Dr. Valentin Clemens. As the new Chief Alliance Officer (CAO), he is responsible for strategic synchronisation with the KRONE Commercial Vehicle Group, purchasing and cross-brand activities in the moving floor trailer segment with Knapen.
The partnership, which has now been approved by the authorities, enables the joint expansion of production networks, an improved sales and service presence and a complementary product range with virtually no overlaps. Both brands remain independent and complement each other perfectly: while KRONE covers the entire logistics chain in road freight transport, Schwarzmüller is a leader in specialised segments such as infrastructure vehicles. Shared values and a vision for the future allow both traditional family-run companies to plan confidently for the future, as customers, employees and partners are at the centre of the corporate strategies. Both groups are focussing on sustainable development and economic stability over generations. Schwarzmüller and KRONE see the close co-operation as a decisive step towards strengthening their market position and creating long-term added value for their customers.
