R&D Leadership Set to Change at Beiersdorf

An important division for Beiersdorf, research and development (R&D), is getting new management. Starting on October 1, 2014, the head of Beiersdorf Skin Research for many years, Klaus-Peter Wittern will enter retirement, and his successor will be Dr. May Shana’a. Shana’a has many years of experience in research and development, which she acquired in management positions in internationally active companies.

Stefan F. Heidenreich, CEO of Beiersdorf AG, said “We thank Professor Wittern for his important contributions to the success of our company. Professor Wittern influenced and fostered our company’s power for innovation to a great extent. The company owes him a great deal.”

Wittern’s successor, Dr. Shana’a, has more than 26 years of expertise in the management of global R&D organizations of multinational companies. For 20 years, she ahd worked in skin care and cosmetics, and most recently she led the global R&D organization of Ashland Specialty Ingredients, located in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Before that, the Lebanese-born Shana’a assumed international leadership positions in the research departments of Johnson & Johnson and at Unilever in the company locations in Italy, the U.S. and in the U.K.

“We are very happy that we could win over Dr. Shana’a to Beiersdorf. With her vast wealth of experience in global R&D management, she will advance product innovations and give further stimulus to the regional focus already started in our research and development,” says board member Ralph Gusko, brands.

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