Managing Directors

Thomas Heckmann, CEO

Thomas Heckmann began his professional career at the AKW Group after a successful apprenticeship at the Deutsche Bank AG in Nuremberg, where he was, amongst other things, employed as a trainee in Georgia (USA) and as a production engineering trainee. He then continued working as a project manager for Sales Paper and Ceramics in Europe, then managing director of Sales Ceramic AKW Group worldwide. After this, he was made chief executive officer of AKW Kick worldwide. Since 1996, Mr. Heckmann is chief executive officer of AKW Apparate + Verfahren Holding GmbH und Co. KG. Between 2000 and 2005 he also served as chief executive officer of SiC Processing (Deutschland) GmbH. Since 2005 Mr. Heckmann is CEO and managing director of SiC Processing GmbH.

Areas of responsibility: development of strategies, business development, risk management, HR, quality management, marketing and sales, research and development

Dirk A. Müller, CFO

Dirk A. Müller started his professional career in the audit department of Ernst & Young in Düsseldorf and Boston / USA in 1989, after successfully completing his studies in the field of business administration at the "Westfälische Wilhelms Universität" in Münster. After 6 years at Ernst & Young he moved to Jackstädt GmbH in Wuppertal and worked as head of accounting and taxes. 1999 he returned to Ernst & Young into the corporate finance department where he became partner in 2002. The last 5 years he was CFO at A.T.U Auto-Teile-Unger Group and responsible for finance, controlling, investor relations, taxes, IT and logistics. During his engagement at Ernst & Young Dirk Mueller successfully completed his qualifications as certified public accountant (CPA), German tax advisor and German certified accountant. Since February 2009 Dirk A. Müller is CFO and Managing Director of SiC Processing GmbH.

Areas of responsibility: controlling, finance, investor relations, IT