Wienerberger appoints interim CEO amid lowered profit guidance

Wienerberger is undergoing a leadership and strategic realignment following the immediate resignation of CEO Heimo Scheuch on August 10 due to health reasons. The company's supervisory board has appointed Gerhard Hanke, formerly the COO for Central and Eastern Europe and Deputy CEO, as the interim successor while a permanent replacement is sought.

The leadership change coincides with economic challenges in the construction sector. Although second-quarter revenue rose 13 percent to 1.4 billion euros, the operating EBITDA fell from 253 million euros to 230 million euros compared to the previous year. The EBITDA margin also declined from 20.3 percent to 16.3 percent.

Management attributes these pressures to weak residential construction in key markets, including the USA, Canada, and Great Britain, alongside inflation driven by geopolitical factors. Consequently, Wienerberger has lowered its full-year operating EBITDA guidance to approximately 700 million euros, down from the previously projected more than 800 million euros.