A special moment for the German foundry industry: After more than three decades of service to the association, Max Schumacher, long-time Chief Executive Officer of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Gießerei-Industrie (BDG), has officially entered retirement. During the BDG’s first economic policy evening in Düsseldorf, colleagues, political representatives, and industry leaders paid tribute to the remarkable lifetime achievements of a man who has shaped both the association and the industry for decades.
Schumacher joined the foundry association in 1993 and became CEO in 2012—serving as sole managing director since 2018. Under his leadership, predecessor organizations were consolidated, and the BDG evolved into a modern and politically active voice for the German foundry sector. His tenure was marked by major challenges such as the energy crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the industry’s ongoing transformation—yet also by his ability to navigate the association through turbulent times.
“Max Schumacher has made the BDG future-proof and shaped it into a strong voice for our industry,” emphasized BDG President Clemens Küpper in his tribute. “He led the foundry sector through difficult periods without ever losing his sense of humor or his forward-looking perspective.”
With the passing of the baton to Dr. Martin Theuringer, the BDG now enters a new era. Theuringer, a PhD economist with previous experience in the steel industry, assumes the CEO position at a time of significant change. In his inaugural address, he made clear that he intends to further strengthen the association’s political engagement and bring the foundry industry—an essential pillar of industrial value creation—more prominently into the public spotlight.
“I’m excited for this role,” said Theuringer. “The foundry industry is the foundation of our industrial culture—now the task is to guide it through transformation and secure its future.”
With heartfelt applause, personal remarks, and visible respect, the industry bid farewell to one of its defining figures—while looking ahead with optimism.
