SKZ restructures its management and strengthens 3D printing in research, testing, and qualification

Effective January 1, 2026, the Plastics Center SKZ has restructured its management. The adjustment reflects the institute’s growing role in the market and particularly affects the organizational framework for research, education, as well as testing and certification, which are gaining importance for industrial polymer 3D printing.

In the future, the management of the SKZ holding organization FSKZ e. V. will be assumed by Thomas Hochrein, who has already been responsible for education, research, and SKZ-Testing GmbH. This will further consolidate strategic responsibilities.

“Responsibility for the management of the SKZ holding organization FSKZ e. V. will be transferred to Dr. Thomas Hochrein, a managing director who has already proven himself exceptionally in other SKZ companies,” explains Martin Bastian. “I am very pleased that all positions could be filled with long-standing employees from within our own ranks.”

Management in the area of product certification, surveillance, and testing will be expanded. Giovanni Schober, previously Head of Customer and Project Management, will support Hochrein in the future at SKZ – Testing GmbH. This area is particularly relevant for additive polymer manufacturing, as material properties, component quality, and process stability are evaluated here, for example in layer-based extrusion or powder-based processes.

Thomas Hochrein said, “Both Benjamin Baudrit and Giovanni Schober have demonstrated in their previous roles that they will fulfill their new areas of responsibility excellently and with great commitment for the benefit of SKZ. I look forward to tackling the upcoming challenges together with my colleagues and our Chairman of the Board, Martin Bastian, in order to generate successes that will continue to drive SKZ forward successfully.”

“The restructuring underscores SKZ’s commitment to continuity, experience, and internal expertise. By filling key positions with long-standing employees, not only is stability within the management ensured, but the further development of the SKZ organizations in the areas of research, education, testing, and certification is also strengthened,” says Bastian. “Our partners thus benefit from a reliable leadership team that represents the expertise and values of the organization in the long term while simultaneously providing new impetus for innovation and growth.”

SKZ sees itself as an industry-oriented research and climate protection organization within the Zuse Association. With the new leadership structure, existing competencies in additive polymer manufacturing are to be further expanded and reliably transferred into research, certification, and continuing education.