Press maker KBA has recruited Michael Kummert from roller bearing maker SKF to be its new head of production, charged with boosting efficiency and finding new markets.

Kummert (49) is appointed executive vice-president for production from April 1, and will take over the production remit from president and chief executive Claus Bolza-Schünemann.

In addition to the main web and sheetfed press factories in Würzburg and Radebeul, he will also be responsible for continuing the integration of KBA’s other domestic and foreign production plants in the recently expanded internal group supply network. Following KBA’s realignment in recent years to a smaller market volume, the supervisory board says its objective in expanding the management board with a production expert is to boost efficiency, cut costs and target new fields of activity.

Kummert joined global roller-bearing manufacturer SKF in Schweinfurt, which he joined in 1990 after taking an engineering degree at the technical university in Karlsruhe, majoring in production technology.

He worked at a number of locations, reorganising manufacturing processes and restructuring production plants in various capacities, including head of industrial engineering; manufacturing, plant and site manager head of manufacturing and process development.

His last appointment was in Schweinfurt, where he headed a new 1000-strong business unit for large and taper roller bearings. He is married with one son.