With over 4,000 employees, TYROLIT is one of the world’s largest grinding technology companies. The successful economic positioning and stable financial situation are a good time for a change at the helm of the company.

Dr. Christoph Swarovski already declared a year ago that he would be stepping down from the executive board in the first quarter of 2022 after 20 years in the company’s management. However, he will continue to support the company as a member of the advisory board: “I would like to thank all employees and partners for the successful years in which TYROLIT has developed into one of the world’s most successful market providers. I look forward to remaining associated with TYROLIT as an active member of the advisory board.” Thomas Friess will take over the position of Chairman of the Executive Board on 1 January. The international orientation, continuity at all locations and the development of future industries will remain the focus of the family-owned company.

New management will continue on the successful path

Innovative spirit and living TYROLIT DNA

Thomas Friess comes from Germany and has lived in Austria for 18 years. The married family man holds a degree in business administration and has held numerous management positions at internationally active companies in Germany, the USA and Austria over the past 23 years. Mathias Margreiter, Chairman of the TYROLIT Advisory Board: “TYROLIT has a stable foundation for consistent and sustainable growth. In Thomas Friess we have found a highly experienced and qualified person to continue the path successfully taken under Christoph Swarovski.”

Since 2019, Friess has been a mainstay in the corporate development of the international abrasives manufacturer and is very familiar with the strategic orientation of the group of companies, the organisation and the values it lives by. “I am looking forward to this responsible task. Innovative spirit, vision and partnership in practice remain central virtues at TYROLIT”, confirms Thomas Friess. The new CEO’s particular focus is on advancing digitalisation and the development of future industries such as medical technology, electrical engineering and environmental technology. “With the help of innovative TYROLIT technologies, we will ensure the necessary precision within these future industries in the future and also make a valuable contribution to reducing the CO2 footprint,” adds Friess, aware of the company’s successful orientation.

New composition of the board

In addition to Christoph Swarovski, Andreas Buchbauer is also retiring from the TYROLIT management board. A new executive board has been appointed for the group of companies around Thomas Friess: Peter Dollinger will in future hold the position of CFO, Arno Pichler (Metal Industries) and Andreas Sauerwein (Construction) will represent their respective divisions on the board. All three people have already been active in the company for years in the Executive Board or in management positions.

“Thomas Friess and his team will find a profitable, very healthy TYROLIT Group with an excellent international position. The owner families and the new operational management are clearly committed to the group’s locations and employees. The main plant in Schwaz will remain the heart and brain of TYROLIT,” Mathias Margreiter emphasises in conclusion.