Dr Thomas Bach, chairman of Weinig since 2008, was elected new IOC president in a vote at the organisation’s congress in Buenos Aires.
The move will catapult the woodworking machinery boss into the global limelight and make him a household name.
Mr Bach’s sporting pedigree extends back to winning gold in the fencing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He is one of the most experienced IOC members to attain the position of president, having been vice-president of the executive board since 2000.
He gained 49 votes in the IOC congress, more than the four other challengers combined.
Weinig AG, the Tauberbischofscheim-based machinery manufacturer specialising in solid woodworking production technology, sent its congratulations to Mr Bach.
“He has assured Weinig he wants to stay as chairman,” it said. “We are pleased that peak performance in sports and top mechanical engineering from Tauberbischofsheim will have the same outstanding ambassador in the future. We wish him the best of luck for the big tasks ahead of him.”
Mr Bach attended the TTJ Awards in 2007 when Weinig was Gold Sponsor of the event. He gave a speech to more 400 timber trade guests at London’s Park Lane Hotel. Mr Bach’s sporting links also extend to being a supervisory board member of the FIFA 2006 World Cup Organising Committee.
