About

As an international industrial engineering and manufacturing company, Sulzer’s legal department has adapted in order to stay current and impactful in a challenging global economy. As part of organisational changes in 2013, a legal, compliance and risk management function was established in order to meet these needs and to drive the sustainability agenda at Sulzer. Group general counsel Carsten Oermann, who works closely with the board of directors and the executive committee, ensures that all legal matters, key changes in legislation and important litigation that may affect the company are discussed. The legal team has had demonstrable input into the development and expansion of Sulzer in recent years. In July 2016, Sulzer acquired Geka, a German manufacturer specialising in applicator devices for the cosmetics industry with an emerging business in healthcare. This strategic move will see Sulzer double the size of one of its profitable business units, Sulzer Mixpac Systems (SMS), which is already active in the dental and industrial adhesive markets. In addition, Sulzer won a contract with French nuclear leader Electricité De France (EDF), strengthening Sulzer’s position as a major pumps supplier in the industrial engineering and manufacturing industry. Together with Sulzer’s subsidiaries, they provide pumping solutions, rotating equipment maintenance and various services around the world. Without the input of the legal team, Sulzer would have found these transactions much less smooth, ultimately affecting the bottom line for the company.