Nikon SLM Solutions appoints co-presidents as Sam O’Leary moves to Supervisory Board
Nikon SLM Solutions, based in Lübeck, Germany, has announced that Sam O’Leary will transition from his role as Chief Executive Officer, with Jan-Niklas Thielmann, Chief Financial and Administration Officer, and Simone Castellani, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer appointed co-presidents. Thielmann and Castellani will join the company’s Management Board, assuming responsibility for day-to-day operations.
O’Leary will take on a new role, moving to the company’s Supervisory Board during the fourth quarter of its financial year, where he will remain involved in the company’s strategy and its relationships with customers and partners.
Both Thielmann and Castellani have been members of Nikon SLM Solutions’ leadership team for several years. Hamid Zarringhalam, General Manager and CEO of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and Chairman of Nikon SLM Solutions’ Supervisory Board, will continue to oversee the business as part of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing.
The company has stated that existing customer and partner contacts, programmes and commitments will remain unchanged.
“This is a continuation, not a change of direction. Jan-Niklas and Simone know this company, its customers and its technology inside out, and Sam built a strong business and a strong team,” stated Zarringhalam, General Manager and CEO, Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Nikon SLM Solutions. “We are very glad he stays with us on the Supervisory Board. With MACHX launching in two weeks, our focus is exactly where it should be: on our customers and what we build for them next.”
Commenting on their appointments, Thielmann stated, “Simone and I are grateful for the trust placed in us, and excited about what comes next. Our priorities stay the same: our customers, our people and the technology we build together.”
The leadership changes come as Nikon SLM Solutions prepares to introduce its MACHX production machine at Formnext in Frankfurt on November 17. The company has also recently announced a partnership with PanOptimization focused on simulation-based build preparation, as well as machines offering a 2 m build height based on its NXG 600E machine.
Alongside his planned position on the Supervisory Board, O’Leary plans to pursue interests in the professional sports and entertainment industry.
“This isn’t a goodbye. I’ll stay closely involved from the Supervisory Board, and I’m as committed to this company and our customers as I have ever been,” O’Leary stated.
