On October 1, 2025, ZF Friedrichshafen AG notified the appointment of Mathias Miedreich as its new Chief Executive Officer. The change in leadership occurs at a critical juncture for the company while it executes an overall restructuring plan that involves cutting up to 14,000 positions in Germany.
Leadership Transition
Miedreich succeeded the mutual consent for the resignation of Dr. Holger Klein as CEO, which would take effect on September 30, 2025. Klein, who joined ZF more than a decade ago and has been CEO since January 2023, explained that the call for strong leadership at a time of restructuring was one of the compelling reasons that spurred him to resign.
Miedreich, who became a member of ZF’s Board of Management in January 2025, had earlier headed the Electrified Powertrain Technology division. His background in guiding this division through major transformations well suits him to guide the company through its present transformation.
Restructuring Plan and Job Cuts
The restructuring program, which has been in the works since mid-2024, will diminish ZF’s staff in Germany by around 14,000 employees in 2028. This entails the removal of 7,600 jobs within the Electrified Drive Technologies unit, equivalent to about 25% of its employees.
Apart from laying off jobs, the plan includes shortening weekly working hours by 7.5% and delaying wage increases. These are estimated to save the company more than €500 million as of 2027 electrive.com.
Strategic Direction Under Miedreich
Miedreich has stressed a technology-independent strategy for ZF’s future, centering on innovation and flexibility in the changing car industry. He has pledged to uphold ZF’s core competencies while venturing into new horizons in electric mobility and autonomous driving.
On his watch, ZF intends to phase out loss-making vehicle lines and focus on creating cutting-edge technologies such as thermal management systems and hybrid transmissions. The company also expects to improve competitiveness with strategic alliances and a lightened product portfolio electrive.com.
Outlook
As ZF enters this difficult phase, Miedreich’s guidance will be imperative in leading the company towards sustainable development. His expertise and strategic foresight are poised to take ZF through its restructuring journey, positioning it as a market leader in the worldwide automotive supplies business.
The next few months will be decisive as ZF executes its restructuring plan and adjusts to the fast-changing automotive industry. The stakeholders will be keenly watching the progress of the company with Miedreich at the helm.