R. STAHL Announces Leadership Transition with Dr. Claus Bischoff Set to Become CEO in 2026
R. STAHL AG is implementing a structured leadership transition with Dr. Claus Bischoff appointed as Deputy CEO effective October 2025 and set to assume the CEO role in January 2026, ensuring continuity in the company's strategic direction and technological innovation in explosion protection systems.
The Supervisory Board of R. STAHL AG has laid the groundwork for a gradual, structured handover of company management, appointing Dr. Claus Bischoff as an additional member of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Mathias Hallmann will step down from his position as CEO and leave the company at his own request as of December 31, 2025, with Dr. Bischoff assuming the CEO role effective January 1, 2026.
This transition aligns with the consistent application of the adopted corporate strategy. Dr. Hallmann has worked to reposition R. STAHL over the past eight years, successfully guiding the Group through various crises and laying the foundation for profitable growth. The Supervisory Board had identified Dr. Bischoff as a successor through strategic succession planning, recognizing his extensive management experience with international companies in the automotive, electronics, mechatronics and automation technology sectors.
Dr. Bischoff brings deep expertise in technology, product development and operational transformation, having most recently served as CTO at automation specialist Lenze SE. He began his career after studying mechatronics and automation at Robert Bosch GmbH, where he gained extensive professional experience. His career milestones include positions as Managing Director and CTO at mechatronics specialist Marquardt GmbH, where he was responsible for development, sales and business units, as well as senior positions at Continental AG and Magna International AG.
The leadership change is significant for R. STAHL, one of the world's leading suppliers of electrical and electronic products and systems for explosion protection. The company serves critical industries including chemical and pharmaceutical, oil & gas (including LNG applications), and food and beverage, with most products approved for use with hydrogen. In 2024, the company generated global sales of approximately EUR 344 million with 1,743 employees, with shares traded on the Regulated Market/Prime Standard of Deutsche Boerse.
Peter Leischner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, emphasized that Dr. Bischoff will continue to drive the strategic process forward together with Tobias Popp (CCO), the R. STAHL leadership team, and the entire workforce. This transition ensures continuity in the company's mission to prevent explosions in hazardous areas and contribute to the safety of people, machines and the environment through its portfolio covering Electrical, Automation, Lighting and Customer Solutions segments.