Stabilus SE Proposes Dr. Frank Heinricht for Supervisory Board Chairmanship in 2026

The Supervisory Board of Stabilus SE has resolved to propose Dr. Frank Heinricht for election to the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for February 4, 2026. This leadership transition comes as Dr. Stephan Kessel, the current chairman, completes his planned three terms and will not seek re-election. The succession process was conducted through a structured selection by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee led by Dr. Ralf-Michael Fuchs, who identified Dr. Heinricht as the optimal candidate following a comprehensive review of suitable candidates.

If elected by shareholders, Dr. Heinricht is expected to succeed Dr. Kessel as Chair of the Supervisory Board, subject to the corresponding resolution by the Supervisory Board. This appointment represents a strategic move for Stabilus, given Dr. Heinricht's extensive three-decade career in the metal, specialty glass, and electrical industries. His most recent role as Chair of the Board of Management at Schott AG from 2013 to 2024 included overseeing the successful initial public offering of Schott Pharma AG in 2023, demonstrating his capability in managing complex corporate transitions and capital market operations.

Dr. Heinricht's previous executive experience includes serving on the Management Board of Heraeus Holding GmbH from 2003 to 2013, where he spent six years as Chair of the Management Board of one of Germany's leading family-owned technology companies. His earlier career included leadership positions at ATMEL Germany GmbH and Temic Telefunken microelectronic, providing him with deep expertise in semiconductor and automotive electronics manufacturing. His educational background includes a degree and doctorate in physics from the Technical University of Berlin.

The importance of this leadership transition extends beyond mere personnel change. Dr. Kessel's tenure saw Stabilus grow significantly through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, including the recent purchase of Destaco, transforming the company into a leading industrial supplier of motion control solutions. The proposed appointment of Dr. Heinricht signals continuity in strategic direction while bringing fresh perspectives to the boardroom. His extensive governance experience includes serving as Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board of the Wurth Group for approximately 15 years, along with current roles on the advisory board of Schwarz Unternehmenstreuhand KG and the supervisory board of B. Braun SE.

Dr. Kessel expressed satisfaction with his time on the Stabilus Supervisory Board, noting that the company's achievements during his tenure "pave the way for continued growth in the future." He emphasized that Dr. Heinricht would bring "extensive expertise and leadership" to the role, particularly drawing from his experience as long-standing Chair of Schott AG's Board of Management and his position with the Wurth Group. Dr. Fuchs added that the selection committee is confident Dr. Heinricht's "extensive management experience and broad market and innovation expertise" will provide valuable impetus for Stabilus's further development.

For investors and industry observers, this leadership transition at one of the world's leading motion control solution providers carries significant implications. Stabilus serves multiple industries including mobility, industrial machinery, automation, energy, construction, health, leisure and furniture, generating €1.3 billion in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year. The company's position in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and inclusion in the SDAX index means this board-level change could influence investor confidence and market perception. The invitation to the Annual General Meeting will be published in mid-December 2025, with shareholders having the final say on this proposed leadership change. More information about the company is available at https://group.stabilus.com and investor relations details can be found at https://ir.stabilus.com.