‟With the establishment of the Innovation Hub we will give selected technologies the focused attention and acceleration that we need to be successful in the market,” said Edwin Eichler, SMS group supervisory board chairman. ‟Hans Ferkel is the ideal person to use his broad know-how for this.” 

Ferkel will lead the hub as its chief executive officer. 

Succeeding Ferkel as SMS group chief technology officer will be Thomas Hansmann, who leads the company's metallurgy business and is chief technology officer at its Paul Wurth subsidiary. Hansmann also is an AIST member. 

As chief technology officer, Hansmann will bring longstanding technological and metallurgical experience to the managing board, Eichler said.