The Supervisory Board of MAX Automation SE has appointed Oliver Jaster as Managing Director and CEO, effective 1 April 2026. This leadership change comes as Dr. Ralf Guckert steps down from both the Managing Directorate and the Supervisory Board effective 31 March 2026. Guckert will remain within the MAX Automation Group as Chairman of the Management Board of Vecoplan AG, a subsidiary of MAX Automation SE.
Oliver Jaster has been a member of the Supervisory Board of MAX Automation SE since 2013, with a brief interruption, most recently serving as Deputy Chairman. He indirectly holds approximately 66% of the Company's shares. The Supervisory Board expressed confidence that Jaster, given his in-depth knowledge of the Group and his close involvement with day-to-day operations – particularly as Chairman of the Presidential Committee – is ideally positioned to lead MAX Automation SE through its current phase.
This appointment is significant because it represents a major governance shift for a publicly traded company listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2015. The transition occurs as MAX Automation SE, headquartered in Hamburg, operates as a medium-sized finance and investment company focused on managing and acquiring investments in growth and high cash flow companies operating in niche markets. These portfolio companies serve various end industries including automotive, electronics, recycling, raw materials processing, packaging, and medical technology.
The leadership change matters to investors and industry observers because it signals potential strategic shifts for the investment group. With Jaster holding a controlling interest in the company and now assuming operational leadership, stakeholders can expect continuity in vision while anticipating how his deep institutional knowledge might translate into new directions for the portfolio companies. The interim nature of the appointment indicates the Supervisory Board is working on a long-term succession solution, suggesting further organizational developments may follow.
For the broader industrial automation and investment sectors, this transition at MAX Automation SE represents how ownership structure and governance intersect in specialized investment firms. The move of Dr. Guckert to Vecoplan AG demonstrates how leadership talent is being retained within the corporate group while redistributing responsibilities. Investors can monitor developments through the company's official channels at https://www.maxautomation.com and the original release at https://www.newmediawire.com.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond personnel changes to potentially affect investment strategies, portfolio company management, and market positioning. As automation technologies continue transforming multiple industries from automotive to medical technology, leadership stability and strategic vision at investment firms like MAX Automation SE become increasingly important for driving innovation and growth across their portfolio companies.
