On February 1, 2026, Dr. Christian Hub will take over as Executive Senior Vice President of the Plastic Decoration Business Area, succeeding Rainer Süßmann, who is leaving KURZ at his own request after more than 38 years with the company. The transition is part of a forward-looking succession plan.
Rainer Süßmann shaped the company across several positions with increasing responsibility and was most recently a member of the KURZ management team as Executive Senior Vice President of the Plastic Decoration Business Area. He began his career at the company in 1987 as a development engineer and program manager in the automotive sector. After various positions in product management and international sales, including Global Head of Sales Management Automotive, he also took over the management of the KURZ subsidiary Burg Design in Steyr, Austria, in 2016. With his many years of experience and strategic foresight, Rainer Süßmann has played a decisive role in shaping the international positioning and innovative strength of both companies.
Dr. Christian Hub began his career in 2010 in quality assurance in the Plastic Decoration business area at the headquarters in Fürth and took over as head of the department in 2018. Since 2023, Dr. Hub has led the KURZ subsidiary Burg Design, always combining ethical conduct with determination, assessing challenges with an objective eye, and consistently implementing necessary measures. With the trust and support of his employees, he realigned structures, thus laying the foundation for the company's sustainable positioning.
Mario Erlacher will take over local management at Burg Design. From his previous position as head of the sales division, he brings with him in-depth regional expertise and leadership experience that will be crucial for the future direction of the local business.
Rainer Süßmann will remain with KURZ in an advisory capacity until June 30, 2026, supporting the transition with his experience.
"Mr. Süßmann has played a decisive role in shaping our business for almost four decades – with his expertise, vision, and great personal commitment. I would like to express my sincere thanks to him for his contribution to the development of KURZ. With Dr. Christian Hub and Mario Erlacher, two leaders who stand for continuity, experience, and forward-looking management are taking over - the best prerequisites for responsibly shaping the further development of both companies," said CEO Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder.
With this step, KURZ is setting the course for a stable and sustainable corporate structure: The management combines many years of expertise with fresh perspectives on the requirements and opportunities in the field of plastic finishing and functional decoration.
This will ensure that KURZ remains a reliable partner for its customers in the future – with innovative solutions, high quality, and a clear vision of tomorrow's requirements.
Rainer Süßmann shaped the company across several positions with increasing responsibility and was most recently a member of the KURZ management team as Executive Senior Vice President of the Plastic Decoration Business Area. He began his career at the company in 1987 as a development engineer and program manager in the automotive sector. After various positions in product management and international sales, including Global Head of Sales Management Automotive, he also took over the management of the KURZ subsidiary Burg Design in Steyr, Austria, in 2016. With his many years of experience and strategic foresight, Rainer Süßmann has played a decisive role in shaping the international positioning and innovative strength of both companies.
Dr. Christian Hub began his career in 2010 in quality assurance in the Plastic Decoration business area at the headquarters in Fürth and took over as head of the department in 2018. Since 2023, Dr. Hub has led the KURZ subsidiary Burg Design, always combining ethical conduct with determination, assessing challenges with an objective eye, and consistently implementing necessary measures. With the trust and support of his employees, he realigned structures, thus laying the foundation for the company's sustainable positioning.
Mario Erlacher will take over local management at Burg Design. From his previous position as head of the sales division, he brings with him in-depth regional expertise and leadership experience that will be crucial for the future direction of the local business.
Rainer Süßmann will remain with KURZ in an advisory capacity until June 30, 2026, supporting the transition with his experience.
"Mr. Süßmann has played a decisive role in shaping our business for almost four decades – with his expertise, vision, and great personal commitment. I would like to express my sincere thanks to him for his contribution to the development of KURZ. With Dr. Christian Hub and Mario Erlacher, two leaders who stand for continuity, experience, and forward-looking management are taking over - the best prerequisites for responsibly shaping the further development of both companies," said CEO Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder.
With this step, KURZ is setting the course for a stable and sustainable corporate structure: The management combines many years of expertise with fresh perspectives on the requirements and opportunities in the field of plastic finishing and functional decoration.
This will ensure that KURZ remains a reliable partner for its customers in the future – with innovative solutions, high quality, and a clear vision of tomorrow's requirements.
