People in composites: November 2025

Dieffenbacher names new head of marketing

Dirk Eisenmann.

German machine and plant manufacturer Dieffenbacher (Eppingen, Germany) has a new head of marketing, Kathrin Kamm, who assumes the role from Dirk Eisenmann. Eisenmann is leaving the company at his own request on Dec. 31, 2025.

Eisenmann had been head of marketing at Dieffenbacher since March 1, 2016, and now wishes to pursue new professional challenges. “We thank Dirk Eisenmann for almost a decade of commitment, creativity and trustful cooperation,” says Dieffenbacher CEO Christian Dieffenbacher. “Under his leadership, our marketing, brand and global presence grew strategically — for which he deserves great recognition.”

During more than 9 years at Dieffenbacher, Eisenmann helped realign the brand, introduce the CEBRO smart plant concept and redesign the company’s employer branding. Eisenmann’s accomplishments extended beyond his marketing responsibilities, including developing and introducing company-wide sustainability principles, particularly in environmental, social, governance (ESG).

Kathrim Kamm.

Kamm began working as a marketing manager at Dieffenbacher in June 2022 and took on the additional role of deputy head of marketing in November 2024. Before joining Dieffenbacher, she gained extensive marketing experience working for a B2B marketing agency.

“Kathrin Kamm knows our company and our marketing team very well,” says Dieffenbacher. “With her experience, character and professional qualifications, she will help continue to move our marketing strategy forward.”

C.R. onsrud welcomes CNC sales specialist for California, Nevada

Joe Bockrath as CNC sales specialist.

C.R. onsrud Inc. (Troutman, N.C., U.S.), a U.S. manufacturer of CNC machining centers and technology solutions, announces the addition of Joe Bockrath as CNC sales specialist for California and Nevada.

In this role, Bockrath will be responsible for supporting customers across both states, driving sales growth and helping manufacturers find the right CNC solutions to increase productivity and efficiency.

Bockrath brings extensive experience in advanced manufacturing systems, having worked with commercial wood door production systems, nine-axis rocket mill/drill machinery for composite rocket bodies and five-axis ultrasonic honeycomb core cutting machines used by several advanced aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers. His diverse background in aerospace and commercial applications gives him a unique perspective to support customers in maximizing the capabilities of their CNC technology.

“I’m excited to join the C.R. onsrud team and represent a company with such a strong reputation for American-made quality and innovation,” says Bockrath. “I look forward to continue building lasting relationships with customers throughout California and Nevada.”

Orion S.A. names CFO

Jon Puckett, Orion S.A. CFO.

Orion S.A. (Luxembourg), a global specialty chemicals company and global supplier of carbon black, has announced that Jonathan “Jon” Puckett will succeed Jeff Glajch as chief financial officer (CFO), effective Dec. 1, 2025.

Puckett brings to Orion more than 30 years of financial leadership experience — much of it within the chemical industry. He joins the company after 14 years with Celanese, where he recently served as vice president and CFO for the Acetyl Chain segment. While at Celanese, Puckett also held a series of other senior financial business unit and corporate roles of increasing responsibility. Before Celanese, Puckett served in senior financial roles at Affiliated Computer Services Inc., PWC LLP and KPMG LLP.

“Jon’s broad functional skill set, deep financial expertise and demonstrated success in helping businesses execute on financial and strategic goals make him an excellent fit for our company, particularly as we navigate our next phase of growth and profitability,” says Orion CEO Corning Painter.

In July, Glajch announced his intention to retire as CFO at the end of 2025. He will remain as a full-time employee of Orion through Dec. 31, 2025, and will provide consulting services during Q1 2026 to ensure a seamless transition.

HTMS appoints innovation specialist as chair

Annalisa Gigante, HTMS chair.

High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS, Bristol, U.K.) has appointed award-winning innovation specialist Annalisa Gigante as chair.

Gigante has a wealth of experience in translating research into real-world impact. She has held senior roles in global organizations across life sciences, chemicals and digital technologies, and has successfully launched and scaled multi-billion-dollar businesses. An Italian national who is based in Switzerland, she is also vice chair of the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials research, and a non-executive director of Cambridge Enterprise.

HTMS, which has operations in Bristol and Leamington Spa, specializes in ceramic matrix composites (CMC). Gigante’s appointment follows HTMS’s recent £1.3 million funding round, which was led by the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II and South West Investment Fund through their respective fund managers Mercia Ventures and Maven Capital Partners.

“Annalisa has an incredible track record of developing deep tech businesses across Europe and beyond, and her experience in the boardroom fits our requirements perfectly,” says Dr. Danilo Di Salvo, co-founder and CEO. “We look forward to working with her to grow HTMS on a global scale.”