Shimadzu, one of the world leaders in analytical instrumentation, has appointed Jürgen Semmler as the new managing director of its European organization from July 1, 2021. Previously, head of Shimadzu Deutschland, he succeeds Jürgen Kwass, who led Shimadzu Europa from 2003 to the present and is now retiring. Semmler and Kwass have both been affiliated with Shimadzu for a long time and joined the company in the second half of the 1980s.

Semmler graduated in chemical engineering at Essen University, Germany, before joining Shimadzu in 1987 as an HPLC service engineer. He gained international experience as a European team member in the development of a global software and since 1996 as manager of the European Customer Support Center. In 2006, he was then appointed Managing Director of newly founded Shimadzu Deutschland. Under his management, the company has grown from 60 to more than 150 employees, and its sales from €19 million to over €40 million. Previously independent companies were incorporated into the organization as technical offices under the overall management of Shimadzu Deutschland. As Shimadzu Europa and Shimadzu Deutschland are both based in Duisburg, Germany, the two Managing Directors have always worked closely together. Semmler commented: “Under Jürgen Kwass’ aegis, Shimadzu’s network was rolled out to every European country and set up structurally and in terms of staff to serve the customer needs of mediumsized companies as well as global players. Shimadzu’s growth is closely linked to his commitment and name.”

Shimadzu Europa has been active on the continent since 1968. Its medical and laboratory solutions are used in health care, the latter primarily in science and technology, particularly in almost every manufacturing industry such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, automotive, semiconductors and plastics. They serve consumer, patient and environmental protection as well as process and quality control.

Semmler said: “In addition to our technological expertise, we also want to continue to strengthen our presence and network on an organizational level throughout the European region, expand our teams, and increase sales and market share. I am looking forward to the tasks ahead.”