Peter Freytag is leaving the management of Salzgitter Hydroforming at his own request. His succession has been proactively arranged with experienced internal managers: Patrick Bartschat and Thorsten Schneider are joining Ingo Gronewold on the management board.
Peter Freytag has worked at Salzgitter AG for over 30 years, including almost 22 years as managing director at Salzgitter Hydroforming. During this time, the company developed from a small start-up into one of the global market leaders for hydroformed components with two locations in Germany, over 250 employees, and a Chinese joint venture.
He will leave the management board on March 31, 2026, and will remain available to the company in an advisory role for several months.
Peter Freytag: "After so many years at SZHF, I am grateful to my employees, customers, and partners for the wonderful and successful time I have had. I was particularly pleased with the trusting coordination with our shareholder, Salzgitter AG, regarding the change management. Now it is time for me personally to do something new, but first and foremost to focus on the things that have been neglected in recent years."
From April 1, 2026, Patrick Bartschat and Thorsten Schneider will take over the reins of the company together with Commercial Managing Director Ingo Gronewold. Thorsten Schneider will be responsible for operations, including production. Patrick Bartschat is responsible for the market-oriented divisions.
The transition has been planned for a long time. Both have been members of the management team for a year now and are well prepared for their expanded responsibilities.
