A new executive appointment has been made to head the research and development portfolio on the board of ebm‑papst. The technology leader in fans and motors, with around 15,000 employees worldwide and a turnover of 2.54 billion euros, has appointed Prof. Dr.-Ing Tomas Smetana (49) as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Bringing a wealth of international experience, Smetana comes from automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler AG, for whom he has held various management positions worldwide since 2001, including in Japan and China. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, he was responsible for the Herzogenaurach-based Schaeffler Group's global innovation strategy. Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer – who, in addition to his role as CEO, also headed the research and development function as CTO on an interim basis after the departure of Dr. Stephan Arnold – comments: "Tomas Smetana is an outstanding R&D executive with a global network of relationships. He is the ideal appointment to lead our ongoing transformation process as part of our "Making the Future Together" strategy. With his expertise, he will enhance our product portfolio strategically with a future-oriented view focused on sustainability and intelligence."

The representatives of the shareholder families Chloë McCracken, Jan Philippiak and Ralf Sturm, together with the ebm‑papst Supervisory Board, warmly welcome the appointment of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tomas Smetana. They are confident that Tomas Smetana's expertise in innovation will help lead the company to further success in future, together with the existing Executive Management Board members. They wish the new CTO every success in his spearheading role. Tomas Smetana, designated CTO at ebm‑papst, emphasizes that ebm‑papst has an outstanding global reputation as a technology leader in fans and drive systems, and is renowned for its innovation and humanity. "With its new corporate strategy, clearly focused on sustainable and smart solutions for dealing with climate change, ebm‑papst is not only transforming itself, but also the global ventilation and heating industry. I am delighted to have the opportunity to advance these challenging and innovative technologies together with the ebm‑papst team in future!"

Resume of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tomas Smetana

Tomas Smetana studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Prague and was awarded a doctorate in the same subject by the Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany. His professional career began in 2001 as a team leader in research and development at global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler based in Herzogenaurach, Germany. He worked in various management positions for more than 22 years, including as head of development for innovative transmission components, electric axle systems, and Vice President responsible for chassis actuators. From 2016 to 2019, as CTO Asia Pacific based in Japan, he was responsible for building local R&D teams and expertise in the corporate, automotive, and industrial sectors. Then, as Global CTO of the Industry Division up to 2021, he was responsible for expanding the product portfolio, advancing technologies, and enhancing expertise, including in the fields of digitalization and robotics. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, he headed the Herzogenaurach-based Schaeffler Group's Innovation Division.

Tomas Smetana is married with two children. Born in the Czech Republic, he is a tech fan, as well as being interested in art and history. He enjoys endurance sports, and likes to travel.