Rainer von Borstel, who has been CEO of Diehl Aviation since 2010, intends to retire at the end of April 2021, with his successor named as Josef Köcher. Köcher joined Diehl Aviation as COO in June 2020 and will remain COO, as well as CEO. He will also succeed von Borstel as a member of Diehl’s executive board.
During his 11 years in charge of Diehl Aviation, von Borstel oversaw a successful growth of the company and the integration of several industrial units, and managed critical stages of Diehl Aviation’s contribution to major new commercial aircraft programmes such as the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Under von Borstel’s tenure, Diehl Aviation also multiplied its business volume and grew its annual turnover to around 1.5 billion Euros. The company also increased its global presence in order to be closer to customers in markets around the world, opening new stations in locations including Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Most recently, von Borstel’s attentions have been focused on responding to the commercial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a product innovation and restructuring project launched.
Köcher may be a relative newcomer to Diehl Aviation, but prior to joining the company he spent two decades in several management positions at Airbus and ArianeGroup, most recently as head of aircraft production & MRO, and head of site at Airbus Defence and Space in Manching, Germany. He holds degrees in aerospace engineering and business administration.
