Management
Experienced global team with strong entrepreneurial spirit

From 2010 until joining Bystronic, Alex Waser managed the majority of European markets for Ecolab, a US provider of systems solutions for the food industry, working from Ecolab’s European headquarters at Ecolab Europe GmbH, Wallisellen. Between 1994 and 2010, he worked for the SPX Group, a company that offers workshop equipment and diagnostic systems for the automotive industry worldwide. During this time, he performed a number of management functions in Europe and in the United States, including most recently as President of Service Solutions responsible for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions at SPX Europe GmbH, Hainburg (Germany). Alex Waser is a member of the Board of Directors of Reishauer Beteiligungen AG, as well as a member of the committee for machine tools at Swissmem and Swiss Delegate at the European association CECIMO. He will step down as CEO of Bystronic effective July 2024. 

Beat Neukom joined Bystronic as Chief Financial Officer in May 2021, also taking over responsibility for the global IT organization in January 2022. Prior to joining Bystronic, he worked for the Merz Pharma Group, Germany, where he was group CFO from 2014 to 2021, responsible for finance, IT, and strategic sourcing. In addition, he was responsible for Merz Pharma’s commercial operations in Latin America. Previously, Beat Neukom was CFO of two startup companies in the life sciences industry, one of which he cofounded. From 1997 to 2008, he worked for the medical technology company Johnson & Johnson in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the US. 

John-Paul Surdo has been responsible for the Market Region Americas since October 2023. In this position, he is responsible for the sales and service subsidiaries as well as the manufacturing subsidiary in the North and South American market. Prior to joining Bystronic, John-Paul Surdo worked in various management positions, most recently as Chief Operating Officer, Europe, at the NCH Corporation, a leading global marketer of industrial maintenance products in London. He has more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, and management.

Norbert Seo joined Bystronic in January 2015 as Senior Vice President of Market Division Asia & Australia. He is responsible for the expansion of Bystronic’s activities in the Asia and Pacific region with the objective of increasing Bystronic’s customer proximity in Asia and increasing the expertise of the sales and service organization in the region. Prior to joining Bystronic, he was President of FFG Asia Pacific. Norbert Seo has 25 years of experience in the machine tools sector, including various management positions in Asia with Hwacheon and DMG. 

Dr. Song You joined Bystronic in March 2016 as Representative Director and President of Bystronic China. Since then, his responsibilities have included sales, services, marketing, R&D, strategic development, and production in China. Prior to joining Bystronic, Dr. Song You held various management positions with the Delphi Corporation and the SPX Corporation in the USA and China. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President of the SPX Corporation, in charge of the Asia Pacific region. He has a record of success with a variety of responsibilities ranging from R&D to operations and general management functions. 

Eamon Doherty assumed the role of Chief Service Officer with responsibility for the Services business unit on January 1, 2021 and is responsible for the EMEA region ad interim since April 1, 2024. These roles cover commercial aspects including customer satisfaction and improvements across all technologies. Joining Bystronic in 2016, he took over the responsibility for commercial excellence, supporting the organization on its journey towards world-class service. From 1994 to 2016, he worked for Ecolab Inc., a global organization that develops and offers services, technology, and systems for the chemical industry. During this time, he held various management positions, most recently as Vice President of North & Western Europe. 

Alberto Martinez has headed the Competence Center Software Services since September 2018 and the Solution Center since August 2020, initially as a member of the Extended Executive Committee and since January 2022 as a member of the Executive Committee. From August 2020 until December 2021 he also headed the global IT department. Prior to joining Bystronic, Alberto Martinez worked as a software engineer for Lantek, from 1999 as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and from 2004 to 2018 as CEO. He has profound knowledge of the sheet metal processing industry and more than 25 years of experience in the field of software. 

Nicole Progin was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer in May 2013. Prior to joining Bystronic, she held various senior HR positions in industries such as logistics automation, healthcare, and IT, most recently as Head of HR in charge of Switzerland and EMEA at Swisslog AG in Buchs, Switzerland. She has more than 20 years of experience in strategic and operational human resources management.

Dr. Christoph Rüttimann joined Bystronic as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in November 2017. In this position, he is responsible for the group’s research & development and innovation activities. Prior to joining Bystronic, he served as Head of Customer Applications and Head of Research & Development, most recently for Trumpf Laser Marking Systems AG. With more than 15 years of experience, Christoph Rüttimann has extensive expertise in the fields of engineering and technology management. He is also a member and, since January 1, 2024, President of the Innovation Council of Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency.

 

Marco Vinanti has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) since January 2021. He is responsible for all production plants worldwide including the Shared Service Center. Previously, he was in charge of Bystronic Laser AG and responsible for the Competence Center Cutting since 2015. He joined the company in 2010 as Head of Production. Prior to this, he held various senior positions in the power tools, medical devices, and mechanical engineering industries. His expertise covers all aspects of leadership relating to strategy, operations, business excellence, as well as project and product management.

Florian Wimmer was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in July 2021. In this role, he is responsible for all global marketing activities related to products, services, and software, with the objective of boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. Prior to joining Bystronic, he held various positions with Hilti AG in the United States, the UK, and Germany. In July 2023, he also assumed the role of Global Sales Operations Officer tasked with standardizing and optimizing processes. He has extensive marketing and sales experience in the fields of product portfolio management, customer segmentation, price management, sales steering, and sales and marketing automation.

Michael Präger, Group Chief Communications and ESG Officer, has been head of worldwide Corporate Communications, Brand Management, Marketing Communications, and Sustainability for the Bystronic Group since March 2021. Prior to joining Bystronic, he held leadership roles in communications and sustainability in the USA and in Europe, at companies such as Alcoa, Eaton Corp., and the packaging manufacturer Owens-Illinois. Within the field of ESG (Environment, Social & Governance), Michael Präger has recently advised customers around the world through his consulting firm, in the development and integration of ESG strategies.