OREANDA-NEWS. After a total of ten years on the Boards of Directors of Implenia and Batigroup, Chairman Markus Dennler has decided not to stand for re-election at the next General Meeting in March 2015. Markus Dennler has been a member of Implenia's most senior management body from the start. Together with CEO Anton Affentranger he drove the merger of Zschokke and Batigroup to form Implenia. "With his departure Implenia is losing one of its founding fathers," said Anton Affentranger in reaction to Markus Dennler's decision. "I would like to thank Markus Dennler for his many years of commitment to Implenia. He has contributed greatly to the Group's successful development," the CEO added. The Board of Directors added its thanks to Markus Dennler for his considerable contribution to Implenia's successful market positioning and for his work as Chairman of the Board.

The Group is glad, however, that it has been able to prepare a highly qualified successor to take over as chair – Hubert Achermann, who joined the Board two years ago. To ensure a seamless change in Chairman, the Board of Directors is proposing to shareholders that they elect Hubert Achermann to the role.

The Board is also recommending that shareholders elect Henner Mahlstedt as a Board member. Mr. Mahlstedt has many years of experience in the worldwide construction industry and brings a great deal of technical knowledge with him. He has been, among other things, CEO of Hochtief Solutions AG and Hochtief Construction AG, as well as a Member of the German construction company's Global Executive Board. In the wake of the Bilfinger Construction acquisition, his stature and his knowledge of construction will enhance Implenia's strategic management team in an ideal way.

Implenia is the leading construction and construction services company in Switzerland. Formed in 2006 from the merger between Zschokke and Batigroup, Implenia can look back on around 150 years of history in the construction industry. Implenia brings the expertise of its highly skilled Modernisation & Development, Buildings, and Tunnelling & Civil Engineering Sectors, and its Switzerland and Norway Regions under the single roof of a nationally and internationally active company. With its integrated business model and specialists operating in all its divisions, the Group can manage a building project through its entire lifecycle and deliver work that is economical, integrated and customer-centric. The focus is on striking a sustainable balance between financial success and social and environmental responsibility. With Bilfinger Construction, Implenia has a strong platform in the German, Austrian and Scandinavian markets from which to exploit the "infrastructure" megatrend.

Implenia has its headquarters in Dietlikon near Zurich and employs around 8500 people. In 2014 it posted pro forma turnover (including Bilfinger Construction) of around CHF 3.6 billion. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (IMPN, CH0023868554).