Mr Kapp succeeds in this position to Mr Michael Hauser, CEO of Tornos A.S. and Chairman of the SWISSMEM’s Machine tools and Manufacturing Technology group. During his Presidency, Mr Hauser created a new image for CECIMO which reflects the innovative and enabling character of the machine tool industry. He explained to European authorities and citizens the strategic role the machine tool industry plays in boosting the competitiveness of the European economy, as well as the necessity of ensuring the development of Europe’s manufacturing base within its borders. He did a lot to stimulate innovation, to promote free trade and to uphold a global level playing field for the European manufacturers.

Mr. Kapp thanked Mr Hauser for his excellent work and confirmed his commitment to maintaining the momentum of progress seized within CECIMO.

Priorities of the new Presidency

After his election Martin Kapp stated: “We need to focus on how to boost the competitiveness of the European machine tool industry in facing the challenges of globalization, the fight against climate change, environmental protection, the importance of market surveillance and enforcement, the specific needs of SMEs and the lack of skilled technical labour force. We need to encourage a research and innovation strategy driven by the present and future needs of the market.”

His most important goal is to point out to European stakeholders the importance of machine tools for industrial production in Europe. Mr. Kapp says: "Manufacturing is the core of the economy, which creates real economic and societal value. The machine tool industry offers full potential to reboot our economy and to create new jobs. Europe still has world-competitive machine tool producers that build on a long-standing engineering expertise, unique performance and a highly skilled workforce. Now it is time to remobilize our strategic assets and resources to build the future European economy.”

Who is Martin Kapp?

Martin Kapp’s chief occupation is as Managing Partner of the Kapp Group, Coburg. He was born in 1951. After his studies in mechanical engineering at Stuttgart Technical University, he began his professional career in Switzerland, initially with the company Schäublin, and later with Maag. In 1980, he went to the United States for three years as manager of the service centre for American Pfauter in Chicago. As of 1984, he entered the family enterprise in Coburg, his first responsibility there being production. From 1988 onwards, he assumed overall responsibility for the entire Kapp Group.

Martin Kapp has a lot of experience in association activities. He is the Chairman of VDW, the German Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association, since 2010. He is also active in the Executive Board of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) as well as locally in the Coburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and at the local university of applied sciences.

The Kapp Group provides technologies and systems for the fine machining of gears and profiles for the automotive, aerospace, construction and compressor industries. The Niles Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH, Berlin, a member company of the Kapp Group, serves a wide range of applications in the segments of wind energy, rail technology, ship building and mining. The Kapp Group has operations in six locations worldwide, employing a workforce of around 850 employees.

Mr. Kapp was member of the Board of CECIMO prior to his appointment as President of CECIMO. He will be assisted by Dr. Frank Brinken (CH), CEO of StarragHecker AG, Mr. Dag Jacobson (Sweden), CEO of SMT Swedturn AB and Mr. Alberto Tacchella (IT), Vice-President of IMT S.p.A. - Tacchella Macchine plant.