Implenia: CEO Affentranger to step down in autumn
There is a change of leadership at Implenia. CEO Anton Affentranger is stepping down at the end of September. His successor will be André Wyss.
André Wyss (51) will take over the management of the construction and construction services company from Anton Affentrager on October 1, 2018, Implenia announced.
Wyss worked for Novartis in various functions and on all continents until spring 2018. His career took him from apprentice chemist through many stations to the Executive Committee. Among other positions, André Wyss was Chief Financial Officer Research & Development, Head of Pharmaceutical Production in Europe, and Business Manager for country and regional companies, including in the largest market, the USA. Most recently, as President Novartis Operations, he was in charge of all Novartis production, central Group services such as real estate and infrastructure, purchasing, IT, human resources and accounting, and corporate affairs.
"André Wyss has extensive experience in complex business models and projects. At Novartis, he also led major construction and infrastructure projects," says Implenia's Chairman of the Board Hans Ulrich Meister. "With his winning personality and international management experience, our new CEO will develop Implenia strategically and operationally."
Affentranger's resignation comes as no surprise. He had already informed the Board of Directors in 2016 that he intended to step down as CEO of Implenia in around two years, the company says. Accordingly, the succession process was started some time ago.
Affentranger was "one of the key figures in the founding and development of Implenia," the company said. He was chairman of the board of directors from 2006 to 2011, when he moved to the position of CEO. Starting from the strong home market of Switzerland, he developed the foreign strategy with a focus on Germany and Austria as well as Scandinavian countries. Striking acquisitions supported this path: Sulzer Immobilien AG in 2009, Betonmast Anlegg in 2010, Bilfinger Construction in 2015, and Bilfinger Hochbau in 2017.
Chairman Meister says: "Anton Affentranger has left his mark on Implenia like no other over the past twelve years and has rendered exceptional services to the company. During his time, Implenia experienced growth from two to around four billion Swiss francs and is now well positioned both nationally and internationally."
