Zinco GmbH Management

New Chapter begins for Zinco GmbH as Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk bid farewell

Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk stepped down as Managing Directors of Zinco GmbH on 30 June 2026 as part of the generational change at the company. Not only does this mark the end of a hugely successful era in the company’s history. The entire green roof sector is also saying goodbye to two people who have influenced the development of the market for decades.

The fact that green roofing and the company Zinco have achieved such an important standing on the international stage is intricately linked to the work of Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk. In 2002, Schäfer and Schenk (already Managing Directors at that time), together with Roland Appl (Technical Manager) and Frank Stribel (Commercial Manager) acquired the company, which had been set up by Walter Zink in 1957, by way of a management buyout. In addition to Zink, Hans-Joachim Seeger (Head of Sales), was another key figure within that leadership circle.

Responsibility over the years

Ulrich Schäfer began his training at Zinco in 1981 and worked in virtually all departments at the company, even during his studies for a Diploma in Business Administration (Construction). The years 1996 to 2000 were particularly significant where Schäfer developed and managed the Regional Office West in Hagen/Westphalia. On his return to the then head office of the company in Unterensingen, he assumed responsibility for the Sales, Production, Purchasing and Finance departments. Schäfer was even instrumental in developing the new building at the current company location in Nuertingen.

Dieter Schenk joined Zinco in 1999, having been a guest speaker here for many years on the topic of waterproofing. He was responsible for the Technical and Marketing departments, with a particular interest in brand leadership. In addition, Schenk represented the company in numerous professional and trade associations and on many panels of experts. In this way, he was frequently involved in the revision of the FLL Green Roof Guidelines.

Leadership with integrity and a sense of community

In a shared understanding of leadership, the Managing Directors Schäfer and Schenk created the framework for continuity and the growth of this SME into a leading international provider with subsidiaries and partner companies around the globe.

These entrepreneurs, their thinking focused on sustainability, assumed their responsibility for Zinco with the greatest personal commitment, and brought to life their company philosophy. Trust and an appreciation of people was to the fore both in their management of staff and their relationships with all market partners. Over the decades, they provided the foundation work regarding policy, on committees, in research and teaching and together with planners and contractors on site, with the purpose of helping green roofing to achieve the status it so deserves. 

During this period marked by Schäfer and Schenk, there were many groundbreaking developments including the green roof and solar combination and the non-roof penetrating fall-arrest system. Water management came into focus with the Stormwater Management Roof and expanded the range of green roof systems by yet another milestone. 

Over the years, Zinco has won numerous innovation awards and honours, among them the renowned ntv “Hidden Champions” prize and the Baden-Württemberg “State Prize”. 

Schäfer and Schenk always understood success to be a team effort. The most diverse green roof projects came about in Germany and around the world as the result of team effort involving all internal and external project participants. Going beyond the entire range of customary green roof properties, Zinco created a name for itself as an innovative manufacturer that can itself technically realize the extraordinary and the visionary.

When asked about projects that particularly stand out, Ulrich Schäfer said: “There is a favourite project really in every country, the list would be long”, and Dieter Schenk mentioned the ski slope on the Copenhagen CopenHill and the Comturey building on the Island of Mainau, on Lake Constance.

The foundations are laid - time for new ideas

In 2024, the shareholders, who by then also included Manfred Krüger (Sales Manager Germany) set their course for the future by selling to the Holcim Group and with that for a sound transition to the next, auspicious chapter in the company’s history. The transition was as seamless and transparent as possible for customers, partners, and staff alike.

They are now handing over the company with its commanding market position to Managing Director Djordje Spremic who has been in place since January 2026. In doing this, Schäfer and Schenk are underlining their trust in a next generation that shares their core values of reliability, quality and customer-focus and will open up significant new opportunities for the future within the globally operating Holcim Group.

Special thanks

Even after their retirement as Managing Directors, Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk will continue to provide guidance to Zinco, in the spirit of sustainability and continuity. “We would like to express our thanks to our employees without whom the success of this company would not have been possible, and to our customers and partners for their trust in us over the years. The journey into a green future continues. We would be delighted if you would continue to place your trust in Zinco for the next chapter of the company’s history.”