- With a personnel restructuring, the focus will be placed even more strongly on the key future topics and challenges.
- Andreas Betzler, as spokesperson for the management board, is driving the strategic development of HKM forward; Heiko von Hagen will be managing director of production; Martin Zappe will be responsible for sustainability/new construction.
Following its acquisition by Salzgitter AG, the management structure of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH (HKM) is being systematically aligned with future challenges. With a newly constituted management team and enhanced post-merger integration, the key future topics of new construction projects, transformation, and integration into the Salzgitter Group are moving even more into focus.
As part of the realignment, Andreas Betzler assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer and Spokesperson of the Management Board on July 10, 2026. In this role, he will be responsible for the further integration of HKM into the Salzgitter Group and for driving the company’s strategic development.
To support integration activities, La-Toya Müller will assume a central role as Head of Post-Merger Integration. She will oversee and drive the organizational and cultural integration of HKM into the Salzgitter Group.
Dr. Heiko von Hagen will become the new Managing Director of Production. The former Head of Supply Chain Management at Salzgitter AG Holding was most recently responsible for the allocation of HKM slabs within the group and brings extensive experience from the collaboration between HKM and Salzgitter AG.
Martin Zappe, program manager of SALCOS®, is taking over as managing director for sustainability/new construction projects at HKM. With his many years of experience in the planning and implementation of SALCOS®, the transformation program of Salzgitter AG, he will shape the next crucial steps for the construction of Germany’s largest electric arc furnace in Duisburg.
At the same time, Dr. Peter Biele, who previously served as Managing Director of Technology at HKM, will be leaving the company. Carsten Laakmann will continue to serve as Labor Director and Managing Director of Human Resources, joining Andreas Betzler, Heiko von Hagen, and Martin Zappe on the management team.
Gunnar Groebler, CEO of the Salzgitter Group, commented on the restructuring: “Peter Biele led HKM with great dedication and expertise during challenging times, providing crucial impetus for the company’s further development. We are very grateful for his contributions. At the same time, this restructuring of HKM’s management creates the necessary conditions to successfully manage the upcoming challenges of the transformation in the steel industry and to seize the opportunities that arise.”
Andreas Betzler, spokesperson for HKM’s management, adds: “With the new organizational structure, we are pooling expertise for HKM’s crucial future tasks. Our goal is to position the company for economic and technological sustainability, successfully advance its integration into the Salzgitter Group, and simultaneously set the course for the transformation of steel production. This reorganization is clearly aimed at strengthening the company’s future viability and creating the conditions for successful and sustainable development in the coming years.”
HKM’s management structure is being consistently aligned with future challenges.