wienerberger – Gerhard Hanke appointed CEO of Wienerberger AG

Vienna – wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative, durable solutions for the entire building in the fields of new-build and renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management, announces that the Supervisory Board has appointed Gerhard Hanke as CEO with immediate effect. 

The appointment concludes a structured succession process initiated by the Supervisory Board in August 2026, after former CEO Heimo Scheuch terminated his contract early for personal health reasons. Since then, Gerhard Hanke has served as Interim CEO.

“Finding the right and suitable CEO for wienerberger was one of the most consequential decisions this Supervisory Board has faced,” said Peter Steiner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of wienerberger. “We conducted a thorough and disciplined process, engaging external advisors and assessing a broad range of candidates, both internally and externally. That discipline is what gave us the confidence to make this decision. What the process confirmed was what Gerhard’s performance in his interim role had already demonstrated: a leader with deep knowledge of the business and the determination to challenge existing priorities and drive change. The Supervisory Board is fully convinced that Gerhard is the right leader to take wienerberger through the changes and challenges ahead and deliver sustainable, long-term success.”

“Gerhard Hanke is a leader with deep knowledge of the business and the determination to challenge existing priorities and drive change. The Supervisory Board is fully convinced that Gerhard is the right leader to take wienerberger through the changes and challenges ahead and deliver sustainable, long-term success.”

Peter Steiner

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of wienerberger

© Daniel Hinterramskogler

“It is a great honor and pleasure to step into the role of CEO at wienerberger. Since taking on the interim role in August, I have taken a clear-eyed and honest look at the company with the goal of identifying what is working well and what needs to change. We are navigating a period of significant market pressure, with weak demand across key markets, rising costs, and a challenging new-build environment. But I firmly believe in the underlying strength of wienerberger’s businesses and the potential this company holds. I am fully committed to realizing that potential and ensuring wienerberger emerges from this period in a position of strength.”

Gerhard Hanke

CEO wienerberger

©Daniel Hinterramskogler

Gerhard Hanke brings more than 25 years of experience at wienerberger across finance and operations, having served as CFO from 2021 to 2025, as COO Central & East since March 2025, and most recently as Interim CEO since August 2026. His previous responsibilities for the region Central & East will be distributed across the broader leadership team. The responsibilities of Dagmar Steinert (CFO) and Harald Schwarzmayr (COO West) on the Managing Board remain unchanged.