• Ulrich Reifenhäuser and Rainer Zimmermann are retiring
• Bernd Reifenhäuser and Lukas Zimmermann are being co-opted
• Sandra Füllsack is taking over as chair

March, 5, 2026 – At today's meeting of the Executive Board of the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery in Osterburken, two prominent figures who have shaped the committee for decades bid farewell: Ulrich Reifenhäuser, former CSO of Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG, and Rainer Zimmermann, CEO of AZO GmbH & Co. KG.

Reifenhäuser was a member of the Executive Board for 32 years, 18 of which he served as its Chairman. Not only did he play a decisive role in shaping the association's work, he also lived his roles as a board member, President of K-Show– the world's leading trade fair for the plastics industry – and entrepreneur with deep conviction. Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery, sums it up: ‘Ulrich Reifenhäuser is a role model when it comes to being courageous in times of ever-changing geopolitical and economic challenges, actively shaping the future with confidence and working to ensure the sustainability of the rubber and plastics machinery industry. His ability to bring people together has always advanced our common mission.’

Sandra Füllsack (photo), Managing Director of Motan Holding GmbH, will succeed him as the new Chair of the Board, while his younger brother, Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO and Managing Partner of Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik, will join the Board.

Rainer Zimmermann, another long-standing member of the Executive Board, is also stepping down. For over two decades, Zimmermann stood for committed and reliable cooperation and was a clear voice for small and medium-sized enterprises. He is literally passing the baton to the next generation: his son Lukas Zimmermann, managing partner of AZO Holding, was also co-opted onto the Executive Board today.

Kühmann expressed his sincere thanks to both: ‘Ulrich Reifenhäuser and Rainer Zimmermann have been and continue to be committed companions who have influenced and helped shape the work of the trade association with their commitment and ideas. With courage and foresight, they have accompanied our projects and set the agenda. Good association work needs this strong impetus from the industry in honorary positions. A heartfelt Thank You to both of them for these decades of tireless, excellent and constructive cooperation!’