Lindt & Sprüngli CEO Adalbert Lechner has stepped down from his position at the Swiss chocolate manufacturer.
The Lindor producer said its board had concluded that the company “requires new operational leadership” to re-establish “consistent, strong growth and to capture opportunities” in markets worldwide.
Ernst Tanner, executive chairman of the board of directors, said: “The board is convinced that this leadership change will drive future growth.”
Dieter Weisskopf, Lindt’s vice-chairman and former chief executive, has assumed the role of interim CEO with “immediate effect”.
Lechner leaves the position following a 33-year career with the company.
The leadership change follows Lindt’s decision last month to lower its forecast for annual organic sales growth, citing the effects of price increases and softer volumes.
The chocolate group reduced its outlook to between flat and 2% growth, compared with its previous target of 4-6%.
Commenting on the revised guidance, Lechner said: “We are confident that our adjusted pricing strategy, increased brand investments, innovations, and ongoing cost savings will materialise, and that demand will improve, contributing to a positive volume growth in 2027.”
When Lindt announced its first-half performance in July, Lechner said the company anticipated “flat volumes” during the second half of the year.
Outlining his priorities as interim CEO, Weisskopf said: “My focus in the coming months will be to return our European business to growth and to build on the strong performance in North America as well as in Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia, China and Japan, where we continue to gain market share. We will invest significantly in our brands while improving our profitability.”
The Ghirardelli owner has begun the process of selecting a permanent replacement for Lechner, with an appointment expected in the second quarter of next year.
Tanner added: “The current search process will assess the best-qualified people to identify the CEO for the next growth phase, and we expect to appoint a new CEO in the second quarter of 2027.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Adalbert Lechner for his important contribution to Lindt & Sprüngli over his 33-year career with the company.”
Lindt also announced changes to the leadership of its German and Austrian divisions.
Michal Spiller, CEO of Lindt’s German operations, is leaving the business. Ali Kulein, currently chief executive of the company’s Austrian unit, will succeed him, subject to approval by the relevant local supervisory board.
Fabian Reinhardt, Lindt’s global sales chief, will replace Kulein as CEO of the Austrian business. Both regional leadership changes will take effect this month.
Lindt shares were down 1.54% at SFr8,290 at 1400 CET. The company’s share price has fallen by almost 27% since the beginning of the year.
