Martin Hirzel Becomes Visiting Professor at the ZHAW School of Management and Law
The President of Swissmem and Vice President of economiesuisse will take up a guest professorship in the Master's in International Business and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs at the ZHAW School of Management and Law from March 2026, bringing excellent management practice directly to life for students.
The ZHAW School of Management and Law welcomes Martin Hirzel, a renowned economics expert, as a visiting professor. In his role, he will teach students in the MSc in International Business and the Master of Business Administration programs and contribute his extensive international management experience to teaching and dialogue.
Martin Hirzel has been President of Swissmem since January 2021 and has worked in Swiss industry for over 25 years. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Bucher Industries AG, Dätwyler Holding AG, and three privately owned SMEs. He is also Chairman of the Regional Economic Advisory Board of the Swiss National Bank and chairs the Advisory Board of the ZHAW School of Management and Law. Until the end of 2019, Zurich-born Hirzel had been CEO of Autoneum Holding AG for nine years. Before that, he was responsible for the South America, Middle East & Africa market region for four years, based mainly in São Paulo (Brazil). Between 2000 and 2007, he lived in Shanghai (China), where he was responsible for building up the local presence of Rieter Holding AG. Martin Hirzel started his professional career with an apprenticeship, later studied business administration with a specialization in industry and international production at ZHAW, and finally completed the General Management Program (GMP) at Harvard Business School.