From January 1, 2026, SKZ – Plastics Center will operate under a restructured management model. The organizational changes respond to the growing importance of SKZ in the market and are intended to clearly define responsibilities within the entities that make up the SKZ structure. SKZ CEO Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian is focusing on strengthening the internal potential of the organization by assigning key functions to individuals who have been associated with the plastics center for many years.
The previous distribution of responsibilities in the SKZ companies and units has been reorganized to better reflect their activities in the areas of research, education, certification, monitoring, and product testing. The changes cover the holding SKZ-Holding FSKZ e. V. as well as SKZ – KFE gGmbH, SKZ – Testing GmbH and SKZ–Cert GmbH. A common feature of the reorganization is the continuation of management by experienced executives who are familiar with the specific characteristics of the organization and its market partners.
New role of Thomas Hochrein at SKZ-Holding FSKZ e. V.
The key change in the structure is the appointment of Dr. Thomas Hochrein as managing director of SKZ-Holding FSKZ e. V. Until now, this entity was managed by Prof. Martin Bastian. Hochrein, who has served as managing director of SKZ – KFE gGmbH (education and research division) and SKZ – Testing GmbH (product certification, monitoring, and testing division), now assumes overall responsibility for the holding while remaining managing director of SKZ – Testing GmbH.
In this context, Dr. Thomas Hochrein is handing over full responsibility for SKZ – KFE gGmbH to his former deputy, Dr. Benjamin Baudrit. As a result, the management of activities in the field of research and education will be led by a manager who has been involved in the development of this part of the organization for many years.
"Responsibility for the management of SKZ-Holding FSKZ e. V. will be transferred to Dr. Thomas Hochrein, a managing director who has proven himself exceptionally well in other SKZ companies," explains Martin Bastian. "I am very pleased that all positions have been filled with long-standing employees from within our own ranks."
Changes in research, education, and product testing and certification
The new managing director of SKZ – KFE gGmbH is Dr. Benjamin Baudrit, previously deputy to Thomas Hochrein. He assumes full responsibility for activities in the fields of education and research. Dr. Hochrein will remain associated with the area of product testing, monitoring, and certification through his continued management of SKZ – Testing GmbH.
Dr. Giovanni Schober is also joining the management team. Until now, he has been responsible for customer and project management at SKZ – Testing GmbH and has previously gained extensive experience as a division manager in research. In the new structure, he will support Thomas Hochrein as managing director in the field of product certification, monitoring, and testing.
Dr. Hochrein emphasizes that the choice of his successor in research and education, as well as his deputy in testing, monitoring, and certification, is consistent with the existing approach to personnel development at SKZ. "Both Benjamin Baudrit and Giovanni Schober have shown in their previous roles that they will fulfill their new responsibilities excellently and with great commitment for the benefit of SKZ. I look forward to tackling the challenges ahead together with my colleagues and our CEO Martin Bastian in order to achieve successes that will continue to drive SKZ forward," says Hochrein.
Continuation of tasks at SKZ–Cert GmbH and at SKZ executive board level
In the new structure, the role of Dipl.-Ing. Robert Schmitt remains unchanged. He will continue to manage SKZ–Cert GmbH and remain responsible for the management system certification business area. Maintaining continuity in this segment is intended to ensure the stability of certification services provided by SKZ to the market.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian will in future focus entirely on his duties as chairman of the SKZ executive board. This implies a clearer separation between strategic functions at the level of the overall organization and the operational management of the individual SKZ companies.
Continuity, experience, and internal development
In the statements of SKZ representatives, the reorganization is primarily associated with an emphasis on continuity and internal expertise. Alongside Martin Bastian, Robert Schmitt, and Thomas Hochrein, both Benjamin Baudrit and Giovanni Schober have also been with SKZ for many years. This is intended to ensure that the entire management team is familiar with the processes, business areas, and expectations of the organization’s partners.
"The restructuring underscores SKZ's commitment to continuity, experience, and internal expertise. Filling key positions with long-standing employees not only ensures stability within the management team, but also strengthens the further development of the SKZ companies in the areas of research, education, testing, and certification," says Bastian. "Our partners thus benefit from a reliable management team that represents the expertise and values of the company in the long term while at the same time providing new impetus for innovation and growth."
The newly appointed management team at SKZ (from left): Dr. Benjamin Baudrit, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian, Dr. Thomas Hochrein, and Dr. Giovanni Schober. (Photo: Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ)
