TII Group appoints Dr Gregor Wiche as Managing Director in leadership transition
30 Second Takeaway
TII Group, a manufacturer of heavy-duty transport and specialised transport equipment, has appointed Dr Gregor Wiche as its new Managing Director and Spokesman of the Board, effective 1 December 2026. Wiche succeeds Dr Gerald Karch, who is stepping down after nearly nine years with the company. He will lead TII Group alongside Filippo Baldassari, who has served as Managing Director since January 2025. The leadership transition introduces a revised management structure, establishes a new holding company and follows a period of significant growth during which TII Group doubled its revenue and expanded investment in its products and manufacturing operations.
TII Group announces new executive leadership
TII Group has announced a change to its executive leadership, appointing Dr Gregor Wiche as Managing Director and Spokesman of the Board, effective 1 December 2026.
Wiche will succeed Dr Gerald Karch, who is leaving his position after nearly nine years with the German specialised transport equipment manufacturer.
The appointment forms part of a broader organisational transition designed to strengthen management responsibilities and support the Group's continued development.
Wiche will jointly lead the company with Filippo Baldassari, who has served as Managing Director since January 2025.
The new leadership structure divides operational and commercial responsibilities between the two executives, providing defined areas of oversight across TII Group's international business.
The transition comes as the manufacturer continues to focus on heavy-duty transport technology, engineering innovation and production development.
Gregor Wiche to oversee operations and engineering
Under the revised management structure, Dr Gregor Wiche will assume responsibility for several core business functions. His areas of oversight will include Operations, Engineering, Human Resources, Finance and Controlling.
These responsibilities place Wiche at the centre of the Group's manufacturing, technical development and internal business operations. Filippo Baldassari will continue to lead Sales, Service, Marketing and Business Development, maintaining responsibility for customer relationships, commercial activities and market development.
The division of responsibilities is intended to provide continuity across the company's commercial operations while introducing new leadership for its manufacturing and organisational functions.
Together, Wiche and Baldassari will oversee the Group's strategic priorities, including operational performance, innovation and customer support.
Wiche brings international industrial management experience
Before joining TII Group, Wiche served at Driventic GmbH, where he led the business through its separation as an independent entity within the Voith Group. His previous career includes senior management positions across Asia and Europe, providing experience in international industrial operations and organisational development. Wiche has worked in several manufacturing and engineering sectors, including paper machinery, rail technology and commercial vehicle components. His background combines operational leadership, industrial engineering and business transformation, experience relevant to TII Group's manufacturing and technology-focused activities.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Gregor Wiche said:
"TII Group has a strong market position, outstanding technological capabilities and a clear ambition for the future."
He added:
"I look forward to jointly working with Filippo Baldassari and the whole TII community around the world to increase operational excellence, turn innovation into value for our customers and drive TII to the next level."
His comments reflect the company's stated priorities of strengthening operational performance and translating engineering developments into customer value.
Gerald Karch steps down after period of growth
The leadership transition marks the departure of Dr Gerald Karch, who joined TII Group in 2018. During his tenure, Karch oversaw a period of restructuring and strategic development that strengthened the company's financial and operational position.
According to TII Group, the business doubled its revenue during this period while making substantial investments in its product portfolio and production facilities. The developments included measures to strengthen the company's market position and support its long-term manufacturing capabilities.
Karch's departure follows nearly nine years of leadership during which the Group expanded its activities and continued developing specialised transport technologies.
Susanne Rettenmaier, Shareholder Representative of the Rettenmaier family, acknowledged his contribution:
"Dr Gerald Karch played a decisive role in transforming and strengthening the TII Group. We sincerely thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best for his future."
The company has not announced additional changes to its operational management teams as part of Karch's departure.
New holding company established as part of restructuring
The executive appointments form part of a wider organisational transition within TII Group.
A new top-level holding company, TII Group GmbH & Co. KG, will be established under the management of Dr Gregor Wiche and Filippo Baldassari.
The new structure brings the Group's executive leadership together at holding-company level, supporting coordinated oversight of its international activities. As part of the transition, Susanne Rettenmaier will step down from her previous position as Managing Director of the family holding company. She will instead join the Supervisory Board, maintaining the connection between the Otto Rettenmaier family and TII Group.
The change separates the family's supervisory involvement from the company's day-to-day executive management while preserving shareholder representation.
The revised governance structure is intended to support continuity as the Group moves into its next phase of development.
Leadership priorities focus on innovation and operational excellence
Under the new management team, TII Group plans to continue investing in its products, production facilities and customer relationships. The company has identified innovation, operational excellence and customer proximity as central priorities for its future development.
For manufacturers operating in the heavy transport and specialised lifting logistics sectors, engineering capabilities and manufacturing performance are important considerations as equipment requirements become increasingly complex. TII Group supplies transport technologies used in demanding applications involving heavy industrial components, infrastructure equipment and oversized loads.
The company's continued investment in technical development and manufacturing infrastructure is intended to support these specialised transport requirements.
With Wiche taking responsibility for operations and engineering, and Baldassari continuing to oversee commercial activities, the new structure establishes defined leadership responsibilities across the business.
The transition represents a new chapter for TII Group following the restructuring and revenue growth achieved under Karch's leadership.
About TII Group
TII Group is a German manufacturer of heavy-duty transport equipment and specialised transport solutions, serving customers involved in the movement of exceptionally heavy and oversized loads.
The Group develops and manufactures equipment used in heavy haulage, industrial transport, infrastructure projects and specialised logistics operations.
Its portfolio includes self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), modular platform trailers and specialised heavy-duty transport systems.
TII Group is associated with established transport equipment brands including SCHEUERLE and KAMAG, supplying solutions for industrial and infrastructure applications worldwide.
The company is connected to the Otto Rettenmaier family, which maintains involvement through its ownership and supervisory structure.
View website: https://www.tii-group.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Managing Director of TII Group?
Dr Gregor Wiche has been appointed Managing Director and Spokesman of the Board at TII Group, effective 1 December 2026.
Who is Dr Gregor Wiche replacing at TII Group?
Wiche succeeds Dr Gerald Karch, who is stepping down after nearly nine years with the company. Karch joined TII Group in 2018.
Who will lead TII Group alongside Gregor Wiche?
Filippo Baldassari, who has served as Managing Director since January 2025, will jointly lead the Group with Wiche.
What responsibilities will Gregor Wiche have at TII Group?
Wiche will oversee Operations, Engineering, Human Resources, Finance and Controlling, while Baldassari will remain responsible for Sales, Service, Marketing and Business Development.
Where did Gregor Wiche work before joining TII Group?
Wiche previously worked at Driventic GmbH, where he led the company's carve-out as an independent entity within the Voith Group. His earlier experience includes senior industrial management roles in Asia and Europe.
What did Gerald Karch achieve during his leadership?
During Karch's tenure, TII Group doubled its revenue, strengthened its financial position and invested substantially in product development and production facilities.
What is TII Group GmbH & Co. KG?
TII Group GmbH & Co. KG is the new top-level holding company being established as part of the Group's organisational transition. It will be managed by Dr Gregor Wiche and Filippo Baldassari.
What role will Susanne Rettenmaier have in the new structure?
Susanne Rettenmaier will step down as Managing Director of the family holding company and join the Supervisory Board, maintaining the Otto Rettenmaier family's connection to TII Group.
