SMAG Mobile Antenna Masts AG has appointed Alexander Guntzel as Chief Operating Officer and a member of its Management Board, effective 16 November 2026, the company announced. He succeeds Kai Oppermann, who will step down by mutual agreement at the end of 15 November 2026. The appointment, reported via NEWMEDIAWIRE, signals the company’s intent to bolster its operational leadership as it enters a new phase of industrial development.
Guntzel brings more than 20 years of experience in industry and operational management of international manufacturing companies. Since 2022, he has worked for investment firm AEQUITA, most recently as Director Operations, while also serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Willi Elbe Group. His expertise includes industrial transformation, production site ramp-ups, and the scaling of complex manufacturing processes—capabilities that SMAG’s Supervisory Board sees as critical to the company’s future.
“With Alexander Guntzel, we are gaining a Management Board member with extensive operational experience and hands-on expertise in the industrialisation and scaling of complex production processes,” said Esra Himmel, Chair of the Supervisory Board. “Quality, reliability and the ability to deliver are crucial to our customers in the defense and security sectors.” As COO, Guntzel will oversee production and quality management, with a focus on scaling manufacturing, ensuring reliable production processes, and enhancing quality management systems.
The move matters because SMAG’s antenna mast systems perform mission-critical tasks in mobile communications for defense and security applications. The company generates substantially all of its net sales from defense and counts more than 50 defense primes, OEMs, and government agencies worldwide as customers, including 15 NATO militaries. In an environment where supply chain resilience and production reliability are paramount, Guntzel’s mandate to industrialize and scale manufacturing directly supports SMAG’s ability to meet customer requirements.
Ulrich Feindt, Chair of the Management Board, noted: “Our antenna mast systems perform demanding tasks in mobile communications – particularly in defense and security applications. With Alexander Guntzel, we aim to further develop our industrial capabilities in a targeted manner and align our manufacturing with our customers’ requirements.” The appointment also underscores continuity: Oppermann’s departure was described as mutual, and Feindt thanked him for his contribution to SMAG’s development.
Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, SMAG was founded in 1974 and employs approximately 170 people. As a leading European specialist manufacturer of self-supporting, guy-wire-free mobile antenna mast systems, the company’s operational performance is central to its competitive position. Guntzel’s term runs until 31 December 2028. The original release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
