Prof. Dr. Tomas Smetana, Chief Technology Officer of the ebm‑papst Group, will hand over responsibility to Jens Löffler (Vice President Product Management / Strategy & R&D) on April 1, 2026, following the successful completion of the ‘Innovation for Growth’ (I4G) change program. In doing so, ebm‑papst is focusing on continuity and the targeted development of its own managers, filling the C-level position with a manager from within its own ranks.

Transformation and innovation at ebm‑papst

With the strategic ‘Innovation for Growth’ program, Tomas Smetana has initiated and successfully implemented a comprehensive innovation transformation at ebm‑papst in recent years.

The focus was on introducing an agile project organization and developing innovative fans for growing market segments along the sustainable product life cycle, from optimizing system efficiency with the help of digital twins to increasing resources and efficiency at the end of the product life cycle through the circular economy. In addition, the company focused on creating solutions for new business areas, including high-speed turbo compressors and the NEXAIRA digital ecosystem.

The company's innovative strength and commitment to sustainability have been recognized with numerous awards, including the German Sustainability Award and the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Technology Award.

"I am proud of what we have achieved together in recent years. The transformation through the ‘Innovation for Growth’ program was a decisive step in positioning ebm‑papst for the future. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their trust and dedicated cooperation. The foundation is in place; now is the right time for me to pass on the baton and take on new transformation tasks outside of ebm‑papst," explains Tomas Smetana.

With its ‘Innovation for Growth’ status, ebm‑papst is ideally positioned for the next phase: ‘Innovation to Business.’ The focus is now on the consistent implementation and scaling of the innovations developed in order to consolidate and expand the company's competitiveness and growth.

Jens Löffler takes over as CTO

Jens Löffler started his career as a development engineer at ebm‑papst in St. Georgen in 2005 and quickly took on various management positions within the company. He has extensive international management experience and in-depth business expertise. His time in the United States had a particularly formative influence on him and provided decisive input for his role as CTO. There, he was instrumental in the strategic orientation of the product line for data centers and gained valuable experience in the global business environment. Working closely with Tomas Smetana, he has helped shape the course taken in recent years and will continue to do so consistently.

"I am delighted about the trust placed in me and the opportunity to continue the successful work of Tomas Smetana. The experience I gained from the I4G program and the close collaboration with Tomas Smetana and our team have shaped me. Together, we will shape the next phase with 'Innovation-to-Business' and translate innovations even faster into market-relevant solutions for our customers," says Jens Löffler.

With this appointment, ebm‑papst is underlining its consistent promotion of its own talent and the long-term strategic orientation of the company.

Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, Chairman of the Management Board, on behalf of the shareholders, Supervisory Board, and Management Board:
"On behalf of the shareholders, the Supervisory Board, and the entire Management Board, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Tomas Smetana for his outstanding commitment and decisive impetus in the successful transformation of global research and development at ebm‑papst, which now lays the foundation for future growth.

In Jens Löffler, we have found a successor from within our own ranks who not only has extensive international experience and in-depth technical expertise but has also actively helped shape the strategic direction of the company.”

Curriculum vitae Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tomas Smetana
Tomas Smetana studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Prague and received his doctorate from the Technical University of Chemnitz. He began his career in 2001 at Schaeffler in Herzogenaurach, where he held management positions for over 22 years, including Head of Development for eMobility, Vice President for Chassis Actuators, CTO Asia Pacific, and Global CTO of the Industrial Division, as well as Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Schaeffler Group.

Since 2023, Tomas Smetana has been Chief Technology Officer at ebm‑papst, where he is responsible for global research and development at the innovation and market leader for fans and motors. On May 1, 2026, he will take up a new position on the board of a family-run global market leader for drive technology in the Stuttgart region.

Curriculum vitae Jens Löffler
Jens Löffler studied electrical engineering and microsystems technology at Furtwangen University. He began his professional career in 2005 as a development engineer at the ebm‑papst Group in St. Georgen. After a stint at Allweiler GmbH, he took on various management roles at ebm‑papst from 2012 onwards, including Technology Expert, Team Lead Manager, and Director of the Automotive/Engine Market Segment. From 2021 to 2023, he was Vice President of the Automotive Business Unit, responsible for sales, product management, strategy, project management, and R&D at the St. Georgen site.

In May 2023, Jens Löffler moved to the United States and has since been Vice President Strategy / Product Management / R&D at the Farmington, Connecticut, site. There, he heads product management, strategy, and R&D functions. On April 1, Jens Löffler will take over as Chief Technology Officer for global research and development at ebm‑papst.