The Ulm Local Court appointed Dr. Helmut Gassel and Stefan Kappis as members of the Supervisory Board of centrotherm international AG effective January 15, 2026, at the suggestion of the Management Board and new main shareholder Ardian Semiconductor. The board subsequently elected Dr. Gassel as Chairman and Mr. Kappis as Deputy Chairman during its constituent meeting on January 23, 2026. This governance restructuring follows the resignation of previous members Hans-Hasso Kersten and Dr. Xinan Jia in December 2025, resulting from the altered shareholder structure, while Robert M. Hartung retains his position on the board.
Dr. Gassel emphasized the board's intent to support management in advancing the company's strategic development and unlocking its full potential by leveraging Ardian Semiconductor's resources and network. He specifically acknowledged Mr. Hartung's decade-long role in establishing centrotherm as a reliable supplier to leading power semiconductor manufacturers. The appointments carry significant implications for the semiconductor equipment industry, where centrotherm provides thermal production solutions and coating technologies. The company's focus spans semiconductors, microelectronics, photovoltaics, and emerging sectors like fiber and battery production, with over 700 employees globally working under its GREEN | SMART | EFFICIENT ethos.
Dr. Gassel brings over three decades of international top management experience from the semiconductor and electronics industry, including a recent executive board role at Infineon Technologies AG overseeing sales, marketing, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. He is also a partner and co-founder of Silian Partners, a team of semiconductor experts with an exclusive strategic partnership with Ardian Semiconductor. Mr. Kappis, a director in Ardian Germany's buyout team since 2014, previously worked in investment banking at Barclays in Frankfurt, specializing in corporate finance and M&A. Their backgrounds suggest a focus on strategic growth, possibly through acquisitions or enhanced industry partnerships.
For investors and industry observers, these changes signal Ardian Semiconductor's active influence on centrotherm's direction following its increased stake. The reshuffle may impact the company's competitive positioning in key growth markets, particularly as the global semiconductor industry faces evolving supply chain and technological demands. Centrotherm's established role in supplying production solutions for power semiconductors positions it within critical infrastructure sectors, making leadership stability and strategic vision crucial for long-term viability. The company's detailed corporate information, including its securities identification, can be accessed through its official website at https://www.centrotherm.de. Further announcements and releases are available via platforms like https://www.newmediawire.com.
