In June 2006, the business activities of Gottwald Port Technology GmbH and Demag Cranes & Components GmbH were brought closer together under the umbrella of a joint stock corporation by the name of Demag Cranes AG.

As HOIST reported in its July/August issue, since 23 June 2006, the company has been listed in the Prime Standard segment of FWB, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Regardless of this, Demag Cranes & Components GmbH and Gottwald Port Technology GmbH will continue to exist in legal terms and operate under their existing names.

The newly formed industrial group has three segments:

– Industrial cranes

– Port technology

– Services

In addition to his role as CEO of Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, Dobner holds the position of executive director of the group segment named port technology.

Dobner succeeds Dirk Kiessling, who will stay close to Gottwald in his new positions as chairman of the supervisory board of Gottwald Port Technology GmbH and chief financial officer of the Demag Cranes management board.

“We are delighted to have won Mathias Dobner with his background, experience and expertise,” said Kiessling. He continued: “Gottwald stands for 100 years of success driven by strong customer orientation, a thorough understanding of port logistics and a high level of technical innovation.”

Dobner responded: “As new CEO of Gottwald I am fully aware of my responsibilities towards our shareholders, customers, associates and employees. My clear target is to further expand and develop our technological and market leadership. With the outstanding innovation and motivation of our highly qualified employees we will also, in the future, be able to launch groundbreaking new

products, offer our customers excellent services and solutions and achieve sustainable growth.”

Having completed his PhD in mechanical engineering at the ISF Welding and Joining Institute of the University of Engineering and Applied Science, in Aachen, Dobner joined the port automation division of Gottwald in 1996 and was named head of systems development in 1998. In July 2004, he was appointed chief technical officer.