SMAG Mobile Antenna Masts AG has appointed Alexander Guntzel as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Management Board, effective 16 November 2026. He succeeds Kai Oppermann, who steps down by mutual agreement at the end of 15 November 2026. The move signals the company’s intent to strengthen its operational leadership as it scales manufacturing of mission-critical antenna mast systems for defense and security applications.
Guntzel brings more than 20 years of experience in industrial operations, including roles at investment firm AEQUITA and as COO of the Willi Elbe Group. His expertise in industrialisation, production ramp-ups, and the transformation of manufacturing sites aligns directly with SMAG’s need to reliably deliver sophisticated antenna mast systems to its defense customers. As COO, he will oversee production and quality management, with a focus on scaling manufacturing and further enhancing quality processes.
The appointment matters because SMAG occupies a specialized niche: it is a leading European manufacturer of self-supporting, guy-wire-free mobile antenna mast systems for military use. The company generates substantially all of its net sales from defense and counts more than 50 defense primes, OEMs, and government agencies worldwide as customers, including 15 NATO militaries. In an era of rising defense budgets and heightened demand for mobile communications infrastructure, SMAG’s ability to industrialize and scale production is critical to meeting customer requirements. Guntzel’s operational background is expected to directly support that objective.
“With Alexander Guntzel, we are gaining a Management Board member with extensive operational experience and hands-on expertise in the industrialisation and scaling of complex production processes,” said Esra Himmel, Chair of the Supervisory Board. “Quality, reliability and the ability to deliver are crucial to our customers in the defense and security sectors.” Ulrich Feindt, Chair of the Management Board, added that Guntzel’s experience in production ramp-ups will help align manufacturing with customer needs.
The leadership change also comes as SMAG positions itself for its next phase of operational development. By bringing in a COO with a track record in industrial transformation, the company aims to ensure reliable production processes and continued quality enhancement—factors that are essential for maintaining trust with defense and security clients. The announcement was originally distributed via www.newmediawire.com.
For investors and industry observers, the appointment underscores SMAG’s commitment to operational excellence as it navigates growing demand. With Guntzel’s term running until 31 December 2028, the company has secured experienced leadership to guide its production and quality functions through a period of anticipated expansion.
