01.08.2024 | New CEO at Market and Technology Leader for Trailer Hitches, ACPS Automotive

ACPS Automotive announces a leadership change: CEO Caspar Baumhauer steps down after six years, succeeded by Michael Weiss.

Caspar Baumhauer has successfully led ACPS Automotive for six years. Since his appointment on December 1, 2018, the revenue of the ACPS Automotive Group has nearly doubled. Baumhauer focused ACPS Automotive's operations on three major areas: internationalization, digitalization, and flexibility. Under his leadership, the company expanded its original equipment business and entered the retrofit market in North America, established two locations in the largest Asian market, China, and enhanced the organization’s ability to adapt quickly and effectively to constantly changing requirements.

Michael Weiss, 49, is taking over as CEO of ACPS Automotive. Caspar Baumhauer, 62, will remain in an advisory role to Michael Weiss during a transition phase.

“I am pleased to hand over ACPS Automotive with a well-prepared team and a strong market position,” says Caspar Baumhauer. He is confident that the company will be in good hands with Weiss: “We have succeeded in appointing a highly qualified and experienced leader in Michael Weiss to guide ACPS Automotive into a continued successful future.”

Michael Weiss brings extensive management experience in publicly traded industrial companies and has served as CEO of the automotive supplier DAYCO since September 2022. At DAYCO, key engine drive systems and aftermarket services for vehicles, construction, agriculture, and industry are successfully brought to market through research, design, manufacturing, and sales. Before his time at DAYCO, Michael Weiss spent ten years at Schaeffler AG in Herzogenaurach in various international positions, most recently as Head of the Thermal Management division. Throughout his career, Weiss has successfully developed and implemented strategies for sustainable profitable growth in his companies, with a particular focus on employee development and customer orientation.

At the helm of ACPS Automotive, Michael Weiss will lead a total of 2,200 employees across eleven locations worldwide, including approximately 700 in Germany. The company, known under the ORIS brand, is renowned for its strong innovation culture and high product quality, which have been appreciated by customers worldwide for decades. ACPS Automotive is headquartered in Ingersheim, in the Stuttgart metropolitan area. In Ingersheim, all central commercial functions and the development center with research & development, prototyping, safety testing, and quality assurance are located. ACPS Automotive, with around 200 employees here, develops a large portion of its products under the ORIS brand for the international automotive industry in original equipment and the retrofit market.