Infineon Technologies, President & CEO, Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart
(pictured) has resigned from the company, effective June 1, 2008. Peter
Bauer, Member of the Management Board will assume the position as
‘Spokesman of the Management Board.
“We would like to thank Mr. Ziebart for his efforts and merits. He took
over the position as CEO four years ago in an extremely difficult
situation,” commented Max Dietrich Kley, Chairman of the Infineon
Supervisory Board. “At today’s meeting, the Supervisory Board
appreciated Mr. Ziebart’s efforts. With his vast experience, Peter
Bauer will focus on executing and expanding according to the “IFX
10-Plus” program the necessary and already initiated measures and
programs. This will allow us to further improve the company’s strengths
and to accelerate the operational execution of the strategic
re-alignment.”
Media reports cited boardroom disagreements over
the future direction of Infineon. In particular, rumors that Ziebart
was apposed to the rumored merger with NXP.
The “IFX 10-Plus”
business plan that Bauer will oversee includes focus on manufacturing
cost savings as well as organizational efficiencies but no further
details were given. Infineon said in a statement that further details
would emerge in the next few weeks.
In September 2004 Dr.
Ziebart became the Chairman of the Management Board at Infineon
Technologies AG after four years at automotive supplier Continental.
Peter
Bauer started his career at the Semiconductor Division of Siemens in
1986, which was later spun-off as Infineon. Most recently, Bauer was in
charge of Infineon’s Automotive, Industrial and Multimarket (AIM)
Business Group.