Iserlohn/Osterholz-Scharmbeck, January 6, 2026 – Effective January 1,2026, Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff has handed over the position of CEO of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE to Patrick Hermanspann. At the same time, Malte Sonnenburg has assumed the role of CEO of the FAUN Group, succeeding Patrick Hermanspann.
Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff, who has led the company as CEO since November 1, 1994, has transitioned to the Supervisory Board, where he has taken over as Chairman. “After more than three decades of operational responsibility, the time has come for me to pass leadership into new hands and to support the company from the Supervisory Board going forward,” says Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff. “I am confident that the new leadership structure ensures both continuity and long-term future viability.”
Patrick Hermanspann has been appointed new CEO of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE. He has been part of the FAUN Group for 27 years and has held a wide range of positions during that time. Most recently, he served as CEO for 13 years. Having played a key role in shaping the company’s development, he now assumes overall responsibility for KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE and its strong brands FAUN and ZOELLER.
“KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE stands for technological expertise, international presence and entrepreneurial responsibility,” says Patrick Hermanspann. “I would like to thank Dr. Johannes, Arndt and Wolfgang Kirchhoff, as well as the Supervisory Board, for their trust. I look forward to continuing the successful development of the Group together with our teams.”
As part of this transition, Patrick Hermanspann has handed over operational leadership of the FAUN Group. As of January 1, 2026, Malte Sonnenburg has taken over as CEO of the FAUN Group. Malte Sonnenburg has been with the company since 2006 and is familiar with FAUN from a wide range of roles and perspectives. He will continue to perform his existing responsibilities alongside his new role. “FAUN is a strong, internationally positioned company with significant innovative strength,” says Malte Sonnenburg. “I look forward to further expanding the FAUN Group’s position in global markets together with our employees.”
With this clearly structured succession plan, KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE is setting the course for the continuous and sustainable development of the Group.
About KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE
KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE, with its strong brands FAUN and ZOELLER, is a leading expert in state-of-the-art refuse collection vehicles, street sweepers and waste container lifting systems. The company employs around 5,500 people worldwide and is expected to close the 2025 financial year with revenues of approximately EUR 1.4 billion. KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE is a business segment of the globally operating, family-owned KIRCHHOFF Group based in Iserlohn, Germany. The Group employs a total of 13,550 people and most recently generated revenues of EUR 3.2 billion across its four business segments: Automotive, Ecotec, Tools and Vehicle Conversions for people with reduced mobility.
The KIRCHHOFF Group operates 60 production sites in 24 countries across five continents.
