Siemens Gamesa appoints new onshore chief as Siemens Energy moves to delist OEM

Luijendijk, who takes up his new role on 1 January, will replace Lars Bondo Krogsgaard, who left the company in October after less than two years in post. 

Windpower Monthly understands that Luijendijk has been assisting Jochen Eickholt, Siemens Gamesa’s global chief executive, in the daily management of the global onshore business since Krogsgaard’s departure. Luijendijk joined Siemens Gamesa and the wind industry in 2015. 

Return onshore to profit

Eickholt said. “With his far-reaching expertise in the wind industry, the onshore business and Team Siemens Gamesa, he is the right candidate to successfully execute our turnaround and return the onshore business to profitability. The onshore business is a key part of Siemens Gamesa, and we need to put it back on the track to sustainable growth as soon as possible.” 

Luijendijk added. “I truly believe the wind industry is the place to be to drive the energy transition. My first priority will be focusing on the execution of the Mistral strategy programme, together with the onshore leadership team, in order to make onshore a profitable and strong business once again.” 

The Mistral strategy, due to take effect in early 2023, aims to fix the 5.X onshore wind turbine platform and address supply chain issues. 

Shareholder moves

The leadership change comes as Siemens Energy claimed success in its bid to take complete ownership of Siemens Gamesa. 

Until the bid was launched, other shareholders owned 32.9% of Siemens Gamesa, but this week Siemens Energy said it would acquire 77.88% of the stake of other shareholders at €18.05 per share, bringing its shareholding to 92.72%. 

It will continue in its efforts to purchase the remaining shares, but it can now delist SGRE from Spanish stock exchanges.  

The company said that will allow it to “simplify processes and fully focus on the operational turnaround of the Siemens Gamesa business”. It believes integration will allow it to cut costs by €300 million annually within three years.  

Move to delist and ‘simplified’ board 

A simple majority is now required to delist the company and Siemens Energy plans to take that vote at an extraordinary general meeting in early 2023. The EGM will also provide a rubber stamp for plans to streamline the company’s board of directors.

Once the company is delisted, resignations submitted by seven board members – Francisco Belil, André Clark, Gloria Hernández, Harald von Heynitz, Maria Ferraro, Rudolf Krämmer and Mariel von Schumann will take effect. 

The streamlined three-man board will comprise chair Christian Bruch and Eickholt, along with non-executive proprietary director Anton Steiger. Siemens said the change would simplify the current governance structure and streamline decision-making.