International
With the departure of Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Folkmar Ukena and the introduction of Dr Fynn-Willem Lohe as the new managing director, an important era in the history of the LEDA plant is coming to an end. The ceremonial handover took place in bright sunshine, with not only the traditional bell being rung to mark the shift change, but also the symbolic presentation of the "fire torch". - © Leda Werk
09.08.2024

Changeover at LEDA

An era has come to an end. Folkmar Ukena, who has been the head of LEDA Werk GmbH & Co. KG in Leer, handed over the management of the company to his successor Dr Fynn-Willem Lohe. Lohe (38) is the ideal candidate for the position of managing director of LEDA Werk. Dr Lohe is no stranger to East Frisia, as he was born in Wilhelmshaven and is therefore very familiar with the north of Germany.

He moved to neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia to study business administration, where he has spent the last 16 years. He initially studied in Münster and later completed his master's degree at the University of Witten/Herdecke. He also completed his doctorate here on strategic decisions in family businesses. Further research and study assignments took him to Reykjavik and Milan.

After that, Lohe worked in strategic consulting for family businesses. His further professional career took him to the German Foundry Association (BDG), where he worked from 2019 to 2024, first as head of the economics department and later as managing director of the European umbrella organisation, CAEF – The European Foundry Association.

Folkmar Ukena puts it this way: "Dr Lohe is a perfect fit for LEDA. On the one hand, he has experience in family businesses and, on the other, in foundry technology. This ensures the continuity of our company in two ways."

Ukena took over the business from his father in 1992 and led it into the top league of European stove manufacturers. Originally heavily dependent on iron casting for mechanical engineering, he transformed LEDA into a real brand that skilfully combined the advantages of casting technology with innovative heating technology and a consistently modern design.

At a summer party at the beginning of August, the baton was handed over to his successor in the form of a blazing torch.

Dr Lohe has been working in tandem with Folkmar Ukena since May and is looking forward to his new role: "At LEDA, I particularly appreciate the dedicated colleagues who work with great dedication on solutions for tomorrow using wood as an energy source. Real innovations are developed here. I was very impressed by this."

Folkmar Ukena will remain with the company as a shareholder. He will also continue to hold various positions in the association landscape, such as the office of President of NORDMETALL. As the so-called "top employer representative", he will continue to represent the interests of industry and, consequently, also of the LEDA plant. The political challenges of our time require special skills from both actors.