SWITZERLAND – Swiss technology company Bühler Group has announced a leadership transition set for 2026.
Samuel Schär, a 20-year company veteran, is expected to take over as Chief Executive Officer in January 2026. In parallel, current CEO Stefan Scheiber will be proposed as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for February 2026.
This planned transition marks a continuation of the company’s internal succession strategy and long-term governance structure.
New CEO appointment: Samuel Schär to lead from 2026
Samuel Schär holds a degree in physics from EPFL Lausanne. After starting his career in consulting, he joined Bühler to establish the Nanotechnology business unit. He later led the Wet Grinding & Dispersing business area before joining the Group Executive Board in 2013.
Schär headed Bühler’s Advanced Materials segment for ten years, contributing to the company’s positioning in materials innovation.
More recently, he has led the Group’s Global Services & Sales organization, providing him with a comprehensive view of Bühler’s operations, market strategy, and customer engagement across regions.
Transition to Chairmanship: Stefan Scheiber to succeed Calvin Grieder
Stefan Scheiber will be nominated as Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval at the 2026 AGM. His 35-year career at Bühler spans assignments in Switzerland and abroad, with 20 years spent in executive management roles.
Scheiber became CEO in 2016 and has overseen a period marked by operational adaptation and business development across the company’s core technologies. His move to the Board is positioned to provide strategic continuity and governance stability.
End of an era: Calvin Grieder to step down
Current Chairman Calvin Grieder will retire from the Board in 2026 following a 25-year tenure in top leadership roles.
His positions have included CEO, Board Member, and Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, Bühler expanded into new markets, diversified its technology portfolio, and enhanced its standing in food, mobility, and materials processing.
Grieder’s departure will conclude a multi-decade phase of executive oversight during which the company aligned its operations with shifting global demand and emerging technologies.
Succession rooted in long-term family governance
The transition follows a succession planning process initiated under the direction of Urs Bühler. The Bühler Group remains privately owned, with stewardship currently under the fifth generation of the Bühler family: Karin, Maya, and Jeannine Bühler.
The family’s ownership strategy is designed to support the company’s independence and long-term orientation.
The group’s leadership model emphasizes continuity, internal talent development, and decentralized governance, distinguishing it among Switzerland’s family-owned global enterprises.
Bühler Group operates in more than 140 countries and maintains a diversified presence in equipment manufacturing, digitalization, and research.
The company reported annual revenues exceeding CHF 3 billion (US$3.3 billion), with active investment in sustainability, automation, and industrial AI applications.
No immediate strategic changes have been announced alongside the executive appointments. Additional updates are expected during the upcoming AGM and through the company’s 2025 reporting cycle.
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