Bystronic has nominated Daniel Bischofberger and Fabrice Billard as new members of its Board of Directors, with the election scheduled for the company's 2025 Annual General Meeting in April 2026. The nominees would succeed Dr. Matthias Auer and Urs Riedener, who are stepping down after years of service. This leadership transition is significant for Bystronic's strategic direction in the competitive sheet metal processing industry.
Daniel Bischofberger, CEO of Accelleron Industries Ltd, brings extensive leadership experience from the international energy industry. He held various leadership roles at ABB Asea Brown Boveri and Sulzer, and has successfully led acquisitions, integration projects and a stock market listing. As a proven technology and service expert, he is particularly interested in Bystronic's systems and its service business. His international background includes work in the US, Malaysia and Switzerland.
Fabrice Billard, CEO of Burckhardt Compression, successfully led that company's transformation, accelerating growth, improving profitability and optimizing processes. Prior to Burckhardt, he spent 12 years in leadership roles at Sulzer, gaining extensive international experience in various industries and markets. Born in France, he has worked in Switzerland, Singapore and the Netherlands, bringing diverse global perspective to the board.
"With Daniel Bischofberger and Fabrice Billard, we gain two strong leaders whose experience in the global industrial environment perfectly match our needs," said Dr. Heinz O. Baumgartner, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We look forward to their ideas and input. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Auer and Mr. Riedener for their many years of service and their extremely valuable contributions during that time."
The nomination of these executives matters because Bystronic operates in a highly technical and competitive industry where international experience and transformation expertise are crucial. As an international leader in sheet metal processing technology and innovation, Bystronic offers advanced flat and tube laser cutting systems, cutting-edge press brakes, and intelligent automation solutions supported by global services. The company's focus on digital transformation through Bystronic Software requires board members who understand global markets and technological innovation.
For investors and industry observers, this board transition signals Bystronic's commitment to maintaining strong governance and strategic direction. The company serves customers in more than 30 countries with its own subsidiaries and a network of dealers and agents, making international experience particularly valuable for board members. Additional information about the current Board members and those nominated for election is available on Bystronic's website at https://ir.bystronic.com/en/corporate-governance/board-of-directors.
The impact of this leadership change extends beyond corporate governance to potentially influence Bystronic's market position and innovation trajectory. With headquarters in Switzerland and additional development and production facilities in Germany, Spain, Italy, China and the USA, the company's global operations require board oversight that understands diverse markets and operational challenges. The nominees' backgrounds in successful corporate transformations and international business align with Bystronic's position as a full solutions provider in sheet metal processing.
