VPF appoints new managing director

VPF has appointed a new managing director from within its own ranks, Kai Klimek, effective November 1, 2026, as part of long-term approach to its management succession. 

Kai Klimek has been with VPF for almost 16 years and, as an authorised signatory and head of sales, has been responsible for key aspects of the company’s market and customer development. During this time, he has actively helped drive the company’s growth and brings extensive experience of VPF’s markets, along with longstanding relationships with customers, suppliers and business partners. 

The succession process has been planned well in advance and is deliberately structured as a gradual transition. 

Over the next approximately 18 months, Klimek and Ralf Waltmann will jointly manage VPF. During this period, Klimek will progressively assume additional duties and areas of responsibility. Following the transition period, expected to conclude in spring 2028, he is set to take over as sole managing director. 

‘It was important to us not to wait until succession was imminent, but to establish clarity and continuity at an early stage,’ explained Waltmann, who has served as managing director of VPF for more than two decades. ‘Kai has known VPF, our markets, customers and partners for many years. He has played an active role in shaping the company’s development. I look forward to working with him during the transition and handing over responsibility step by step.’ 

By choosing a successor from within the company, VPF is deliberately building on continuity and in-house experience. At the same time, the transition will be used to actively drive the company’s further development. 

‘After almost 16 years at VPF, this is a very special step for me,’ said Klimek. ‘I have great respect for the responsibility involved, but I am equally excited about what lies ahead. As a medium-sized company, we have tremendous strengths – particularly our close relationships with customers, our flexibility and our ability to find solutions quickly. We want to preserve these strengths while continuing to develop VPF consistently over the coming years.’ 

For customers, suppliers and business partners, day-to-day collaboration will remain unchanged throughout the transition. Existing contacts will remain in place. Reliability, quality and a collaborative approach will continue to form the foundation of VPF’s business relationships.