Change of leadership! The Zumtobel Group and Opple Lighting Europe have officially announced their new heads!
The European lighting market is experiencing a wave of intensive personnel changes.
1
New CEO of the Zumtobel Group
On September 9, the official WeChat account of the Zumtobel Group announced that the Group’s Board of Directors has formally appointed Heiner Lang as its new CEO.
According to reports, Heiner Lang joined the Group’s Executive Board on September 1, 2026, and will officially assume the role of CEO starting October 1, 2026, succeeding Alfred Felder.
The Zumtobel Group stated that this appointment is an important part of the Group’s long-term succession planning. By the end of 2026, Alfred Felder will gradually complete the handover of his responsibilities; following the transition, he will continue to support the Group in an advisory capacity.
According to available information, Heiner Lang brings over 25 years of experience in multinational corporate management, having previously served as CEO of the WAGO Group. Throughout his career, he has focused on strategic upgrades for technology-driven businesses and global organizations, leveraging market-oriented solutions, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships to continuously unlock new sources of profit growth.
Karin Zumtobel‑Chammah, Chairwoman of the Board, commented: “Heiner Lang possesses a forward-looking strategic vision and extensive international management expertise, with a deep understanding of the development logic behind technology-driven business models. As a seasoned industrial executive, he will lead the Zumtobel Group into its next phase of growth.”
Heiner Lang added: “The lighting industry is undergoing structural transformation. Adaptive, intelligent interconnected systems are turning lighting into an indispensable component of smart spaces, creating numerous business opportunities that transcend traditional boundaries. We will seize these trends, fully tap the industry’s potential, and achieve sustainable profit growth.”
The Zumtobel Group was founded in 1950 by Dr. Walter Zumtobel in Dornbirn, Austria. It is an international lighting group that employs a multi-brand strategy, covering diverse market segments through three brands: Zumtobel, Thorn Lighting, and eTridonic.
2
OPPLE Lighting Europe—New Managing Director
Recently, OPPLE Lighting Europe announced that Ruud van der Zanden will assume the role of Managing Director of OPPLE Lighting Europe effective September 1, 2026.
It is reported that Ruud has extensive experience in the international lighting industry, having held senior leadership positions at Signify and Philips Lighting, where he accumulated deep expertise in business management, commercial expansion, customer engagement, innovation, and international business transformation.
OPPLE stated that Ruud will lead OPPLE Lighting Europe into its next stage of development, strengthening the company’s position in the European market, deepening collaboration with customers and partners, and driving sustainable growth.
Ruud van der Zanden remarked: “I am delighted to join OPPLE Lighting Europe and contribute to the company’s continued advancement in this key market. I look forward to working closely with our team, customers, and partners to build upon OPPLE Lighting’s solid foundation and create lasting value together.”
Ruud’s appointment underscores OPPLE Lighting’s long-term commitment to Europe and its ongoing investment in building a strong, customer-centric, future-oriented presence in the region.
This marks a pivotal leadership change for one of China’s leading lighting companies in the European market, aligning with the direction taken by Ledvance—increasing investment in Europe. Earlier, LEDVANCE also announced that Dr. Markus Emmert would be appointed Managing Director of LEDVANCE effective August 1, 2026, while continuing to serve concurrently as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reporting directly to CEO Sun Qinghuan.
Europe has long been one of OPPLE Lighting’s key strategic markets. In 2013, OPPLE established its European headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and gradually expanded its smart lighting solutions business. In 2026, coinciding with the company’s 30th anniversary, its design brand OLL made its international debut at the Frankfurt Lighting Fair, showcasing significant progress toward becoming a globally recognized lighting enterprise.
OPPLE Lighting recently reaffirmed its commitment to developing overseas markets under its own brand, focusing on key regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. With distribution and project-based channels as primary avenues, the company leverages the advantages of its smart products and enhances channel capabilities to open up incremental growth opportunities and steadily increase its penetration in overseas markets.