The supervisory board of centrotherm international AG has undergone significant changes following the entry of new majority shareholder Ardian Semiconductor. The Ulm Local Court appointed Dr. Helmut Gassel and Stefan Kappis as members of the Supervisory Board effective January 15, 2026, at the suggestion of both the Management Board and Ardian Semiconductor. This governance shift represents a pivotal moment for the German technology group specializing in thermal production solutions and coating technologies.
During its constituent meeting on January 23, 2026, the newly formed Supervisory Board elected Dr. Helmut Gassel as Chairman and Stefan Kappis as Deputy Chairman. Robert M. Hartung will continue his service on the board, providing continuity alongside the new appointments. The changes resulted directly from the altered shareholder structure, with previous board members Hans-Hasso Kersten and Dr. Xinan Jia resigning their seats effective December 17, 2025.
Dr. Helmut Gassel brings extensive semiconductor industry expertise to his leadership role, having served on the Executive Board of Infineon Technologies AG where he oversaw sales, marketing, strategy development, and mergers and acquisitions. As a partner and co-founder of Silian Partners, a team of semiconductor experts with an exclusive strategic partnership with Ardian Semiconductor, Gassel's appointment signals deeper industry integration. "Together with my colleagues on the Supervisory Board, I would like to support the Management Board in driving forward the strategic development of centrotherm international AG and unlocking the company's full potential using the resources and network of Ardian Semiconductor," stated Gassel in his new capacity.
Stefan Kappis, appointed as Deputy Chairman, serves as a director in the buyout team at Ardian Germany and has been involved in numerous transactions. His background includes investment banking experience at Barclays in Frankfurt am Main, where he worked in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions before joining Ardian in 2014. This financial expertise complements the technical leadership Gassel provides, creating a balanced supervisory approach.
The leadership transition holds importance for centrotherm's strategic direction as the company navigates growth sectors including semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics, photovoltaics, and emerging fields like fiber and battery production. With over 70 years of experience developing production concepts and more than 700 employees worldwide, centrotherm's position as a supplier to leading power semiconductor manufacturers makes these governance changes particularly significant for the broader technology supply chain. The company's focus on GREEN, SMART, and EFFICIENT solutions aligns with global trends toward sustainable manufacturing, making effective board oversight crucial for maintaining competitive advantages in rapidly evolving markets. Additional information about the company is available at https://www.centrotherm.de.
