Werner Widuckel Leaves Audi

German manufacturer Audi announced today the man who has been responsible for the company's Human Resources department for the past five years, Werner Widuckel, will be leaving the company. According to Audi, Widuckel is taking up teaching and will work in research.

“Werner Widuckel has achieved outstanding things for Audi. He has massively influenced our human resources policy and played a major role in promoting our appeal as an employer and overseeing our competence development. He has also paved the way for the Company’s response to the challenges of demographic change,” Rupert Stadler, Audi chairman of the board said in a statement.

Widuckel began his career in 1985 as advisor to the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen. He moved to become Chief Coordinator of the European Group Works Council, the International Group Works Council and the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen in 1991. He serves as HR chief since 2005.

“Werner Widuckel was a highly competent and innovative human resources director, always ready to listen to the concerns and interests of the Audi workforce. One of the hallmarks of his work was that he considered safeguarding jobs and maintaining economic efficiency at Audi as equal-ranking objectives for the Company” Peter Mosch, chairman of the General Works Council at Audi added.

Widuckel will be replaced on the board by Thomas Sigi on October 1. Sigi was HR Director of the Volkswagen Kassel plant and held positions with ALCAN Holdings Germany and CSA Computer. Currently, Sigi serves as vice president for ZF Friedrichshafen.