New CEO to lead the transformation of Vald. Birn A/S
6 December 2021
Vald. Birn A/S has appointed Claus Beier as new CEO and Group President of the Vald. Birn Group. From spring 2022, Claus Beier will be at the forefront of the transformation process that will secure the future of the group's companies and lead to new growth and earnings.
The current CEO, Jens Axel Birn, who has been with the group for the past 17 years, has chosen to step down and seek new challenges. And today, his successor is announced. As of spring 2022, Claus Beier, current CEO at JKE Design A/S, will take over as new Group President of the Vald. Birn Group.
“After a thorough process where a number of highly qualified options were assessed, it became clear that Claus Beier was the right choice. Crucial to the decision has been Claus’ strong commercial profile, his experience across the entire value chain along with the significant results he has achieved in his previous positions. Now we are looking very much forward to having him on board,” explains Chairman of the Board, Erik Lundtoft.
For the past four years, Claus Beier has been at the forefront of a turnaround at JKE Design, which for a number of years had red numbers on the bottom line. Today, earnings have been raised to a significantly higher level, and the recipe has been growth and development rather than reduction and liquidation. During the same period, employee satisfaction has risen significantly.
“I am both proud and humbled to have been elected for the position as CEO and Group President of the Vald. Birn Group. It is an interesting group of companies with proud traditions and many development opportunities. I see it as a unique opportunity to embark on a new journey with a focus on growth and development, together with 900 talented colleagues,” says Claus Beier.
The Vald. Birn Group consists of the parent company Vald. Birn A/S (Holstebro, DK), Tasso A/S (Odense, DK), Bernareggi S.r.l. (Castano Primo, IT), Uldalls Jernstøberi A/S (Vejen, DK), Kockums Maskin AB (Kallinge, SE) and Vald. Birn GmbH (Mülheim, DE).
“Even though we have 125 years behind us, we are certainly not unambitious. We have a good product and an extremely competent workforce with unique know-how. Therefore, we are now empowering a new strategy, where the main goal is to create and maintain sustainable and profitable production jobs in the local areas where we operate. Via new technology, smarter processes and a more in-depth focus on sustainability, we will embark on a new growth journey together with Claus Beier,” Erik Lundtoft continues.
About Vald. Birn A/S
Vald. Birn A/S is Northern Europe's largest foundry group with roots dating back to 1896. Core competencies include everything from development, casting and machining to surface treatment and assembly. The company manufactures castings for e.g. truck and pump industry.
The Vald. Birn Group consists of the parent company Vald. Birn A/S (Holstebro, DK), Tasso A/S (Odense, DK), Bernareggi S.r.l. (Castano Primo, IT), Uldalls Jernstøberi A/S (Vejen, DK), Kockums Maskin AB (Kallinge, SE) and Vald. Birn GmbH (Mülheim, DE). The group employs approx. 900 people, of which almost 600 in Holstebro. The group is owned by Vald. Birn Holding A/S, which is controlled by the Birn Foundation.
The current CEO, Jens Axel Birn, who has been with the group for the past 17 years, has chosen to step down and seek new challenges. And today, his successor is announced. As of spring 2022, Claus Beier, current CEO at JKE Design A/S, will take over as new Group President of the Vald. Birn Group.
“After a thorough process where a number of highly qualified options were assessed, it became clear that Claus Beier was the right choice. Crucial to the decision has been Claus’ strong commercial profile, his experience across the entire value chain along with the significant results he has achieved in his previous positions. Now we are looking very much forward to having him on board,” explains Chairman of the Board, Erik Lundtoft.
For the past four years, Claus Beier has been at the forefront of a turnaround at JKE Design, which for a number of years had red numbers on the bottom line. Today, earnings have been raised to a significantly higher level, and the recipe has been growth and development rather than reduction and liquidation. During the same period, employee satisfaction has risen significantly.
“I am both proud and humbled to have been elected for the position as CEO and Group President of the Vald. Birn Group. It is an interesting group of companies with proud traditions and many development opportunities. I see it as a unique opportunity to embark on a new journey with a focus on growth and development, together with 900 talented colleagues,” says Claus Beier.
The Vald. Birn Group consists of the parent company Vald. Birn A/S (Holstebro, DK), Tasso A/S (Odense, DK), Bernareggi S.r.l. (Castano Primo, IT), Uldalls Jernstøberi A/S (Vejen, DK), Kockums Maskin AB (Kallinge, SE) and Vald. Birn GmbH (Mülheim, DE).
“Even though we have 125 years behind us, we are certainly not unambitious. We have a good product and an extremely competent workforce with unique know-how. Therefore, we are now empowering a new strategy, where the main goal is to create and maintain sustainable and profitable production jobs in the local areas where we operate. Via new technology, smarter processes and a more in-depth focus on sustainability, we will embark on a new growth journey together with Claus Beier,” Erik Lundtoft continues.
About Vald. Birn A/S
Vald. Birn A/S is Northern Europe's largest foundry group with roots dating back to 1896. Core competencies include everything from development, casting and machining to surface treatment and assembly. The company manufactures castings for e.g. truck and pump industry.
The Vald. Birn Group consists of the parent company Vald. Birn A/S (Holstebro, DK), Tasso A/S (Odense, DK), Bernareggi S.r.l. (Castano Primo, IT), Uldalls Jernstøberi A/S (Vejen, DK), Kockums Maskin AB (Kallinge, SE) and Vald. Birn GmbH (Mülheim, DE). The group employs approx. 900 people, of which almost 600 in Holstebro. The group is owned by Vald. Birn Holding A/S, which is controlled by the Birn Foundation.