VDMA Valves has elected a new board. Lubert Winnecken, CEO of KEUCO, is taking over as chairman of the association and plans to put a stronger focus on competitiveness, the regulatory framework, and advocacy for the valve industry.
The VDMA association for industrial valves and building valves has new leadership. At the general meeting in Cologne, members elected Lubert Winnecken, CEO of KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG, as the new chairman of VDMA Valves. He succeeds Axel Weidner of Mankenberg GmbH, who had led the association for eight years.
New Leadership for Industrial Valves at VDMA
In addition to chairing the association as a whole, Winnecken will also head the VDMA Building Valves division. Andreas Laschke, Head of the Valves segment at KSB SE & Co. KGaA, becomes deputy chairman of the association. Laschke was also elected chairman of VDMA Industrial Valves.
The full board also includes Elisa Sasserath-Kentsch of Hans Sasserath GmbH & Co. KG, Oliver Bertram of Perrin GmbH, Kitz Group, Michael Everwand of Everwand & Fell GmbH, and Michael Rimm of IMI Hydronic Engineering Deutschland GmbH.
Focus on Competitiveness and Regulation
According to the association, Winnecken intends to bring the interests of the valve industry more firmly into political decision-making. He names competitive energy costs, a reliable political framework, and a regulatory environment that does not needlessly hinder technical development as key issues.
Advocacy at the European level is also set to gain importance. The association points out that many of the requirements facing the industry originate at the EU level. These include regulatory requirements, sustainability requirements, and the framework conditions for industrial competitiveness.
“Our companies are under increasing pressure in international competition. Now is the moment to put industrial competitiveness consistently back at the center,” says Winnecken.
Board Brings Together Expertise from Across the Valve Industry
The association represents manufacturers of building and industrial valves. The new board aims to pool experience from the different market segments more closely. In addition to competitiveness, the stated priorities include securing skilled workers, technological transformation, and regulatory requirements.
According to VDMA Valves, the association has more than 190 member companies. The association says the German valve industry generates annual sales of around €12 billion and employs some 42,000 people.
Association to Continue Its Advocacy Work
Dr. Laura Dorfer, Managing Director of VDMA Valves, sees the newly elected board as combining technical expertise with entrepreneurial experience. She also paid tribute to the work of outgoing chairman Axel Weidner. The new board is to guide the association’s work in the coming years and bring the concerns of the German valve industry into national and European advocacy.
At VALVE WORLD EXPO in Düsseldorf from December 1–3, 2026, VDMA Valves (VDMA Fachverband Armaturen e. V.) will be exhibiting. Visitors can find the association in Hall 1, Booth C68. More information is available in the VALVE WORLD EXPO exhibitor profile.
