GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN: DE0006602006), one of the world's largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, has announced a planned leadership change at board level. The company's Supervisory Board resolved on 12 November 2026 that CEO Stefan Klebert will step down following the 2027 Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2027, at his own request and by mutual agreement. Klaus Stojentin, currently CEO of GEA's Nutrition Plant Engineering Division, has been appointed as his successor for a five-year term, with the change taking effect on 29 April 2027.

Key Points

  • GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft (0MPJ / ISIN: DE0006602006), DAX-listed machinery and plant engineering group headquartered in Düsseldorf
  • CEO Stefan Klebert to step down on 29 April 2027; Klaus Stojentin appointed as successor for a five-year term
  • Dr. Andreas Seeringer appointed to the Executive Board for a three-year term as CEO of Nutrition Plant Engineering Division
  • Investors may be watching whether the leadership transition affects GEA's strategic trajectory following its DAX40 inclusion in September 2025

Stefan Klebert Steps Down After More Than Eight Years Leading GEA's Transformation

Stefan Klebert, aged 61, joined GEA as CEO in February 2019 and his contract was originally due to run until the end of 2028. The announcement states he informed the Supervisory Board of his wish to end his contract early following what the company describes as a fundamental transformation of the group, including a strategic realignment, integration of sustainability as a core pillar, and consistent growth in order intake, revenue, profitability and market capitalisation. GEA joined the DAX40 in September 2025, becoming, according to the announcement, the first and to date only pure-play machinery and plant engineering company to do so. Klebert will remain in post until the 2027 Annual General Meeting to support an orderly transition.

Klaus Stojentin's 23-Year GEA Career Underpins His Appointment as Incoming Chief Executive

Klaus Stojentin, aged 59, holds a degree in Energy and Utilities Supply Engineering and has been with GEA since 2003, giving him 23 years of experience across engineering and senior management roles within the group. He currently serves as an Executive Board member and CEO of the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division, and previously led GEA's separator business, now part of the Pure Flow Processing Division. The Supervisory Board has appointed him for a five-year term. The announcement describes him as a dynamic leader with knowledge of GEA from both an engineering and strategic management perspective, though no new strategic targets or financial guidance were disclosed alongside the appointment.

Dr. Andreas Seeringer Joins Executive Board to Lead Nutrition Plant Engineering Division

To fill the vacancy created by Stojentin's elevation to CEO, the Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Andreas Seeringer, aged 46, to the Executive Board for a three-year term. Seeringer has been with GEA since 2013 and has led the Farm Technologies Division since 2024. He will assume the role of CEO of the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division from 29 April 2027. The company did not disclose further details regarding divisional strategy or financial targets associated with this appointment. All three board changes resolved by the Supervisory Board are scheduled to take effect simultaneously on 29 April 2027, the day following the Annual General Meeting.

GEA's Scale and Sector Positioning Provide Context for the Transition

GEA generated revenues of approximately EUR 5.5 billion in fiscal year 2025 across more than 150 countries, employing more than 18,000 people. The group is a significant supplier to the pharmaceutical sector — the announcement states that every second pharma separator for products such as vaccines and biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA — alongside broad food and beverage processing operations. The company is listed on the DAX, the STOXX Europe 600 Index and several sustainability indices. Investors may be watching how the new leadership team maintains the operational and strategic momentum built during Klebert's tenure, particularly given GEA's relatively recent elevation to the DAX40.