Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 02, 2026
Centrotherm Appoints New Supervisory Board Leadership Under Ardian Semiconductor
TLDR
- Centrotherm's new supervisory board appointments leverage Ardian Semiconductor's network to unlock strategic advantages in power semiconductor manufacturing.
- Centrotherm appointed Dr. Helmut Gassel and Stefan Kappis to its supervisory board, with Gassel as chairman, following Ardian Semiconductor's shareholder influence and previous resignations.
- Centrotherm's strengthened leadership aims to advance sustainable thermal solutions, supporting global innovation in semiconductors and green technologies for a smarter future.
- A semiconductor veteran with 30 years at Infineon now chairs centrotherm's board, bringing deep industry expertise to drive thermal production innovations.
Impact - Why it Matters
This leadership transition at centrotherm international AG represents more than just corporate reshuffling—it signals a strategic pivot in the critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment sector. As global demand for semiconductors continues to surge across industries from automotive to consumer electronics, the expertise brought by Dr. Helmut Gassel (with his Infineon background) and Ardian Semiconductor's resources could accelerate centrotherm's innovation in thermal production solutions. For investors and industry observers, this move suggests potential for enhanced competitiveness in supplying leading power semiconductor manufacturers, while for the broader technology ecosystem, it may mean more advanced, efficient production capabilities that ultimately drive down costs and improve performance of electronic devices. The semiconductor equipment industry is foundational to technological progress, and leadership changes at established players like centrotherm often precede significant market shifts.
Summary
In a significant corporate governance shift, centrotherm international AG has undergone major changes to its Supervisory Board following the entry of new main 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 the Management Board and Ardian Semiconductor. At its constituent meeting on January 23, 2026, the Supervisory Board elected Dr. Helmut Gassel as Chairman and Stefan Kappis as Deputy Chairman, while Robert M. Hartung continues his service. This restructuring resulted from the new shareholder structure, with previous members Hans-Hasso Kersten and Dr. Xinan Jia resigning their seats effective December 17, 2025.
Dr. Helmut Gassel brings exceptional expertise to his new role as Chairman, emphasizing his commitment to supporting the Management Board in driving forward centrotherm's strategic development and unlocking the company's full potential using Ardian Semiconductor's resources and network. Gassel highlighted his anticipation of working with Robert M. Hartung, who has provided strategic guidance and operational support for many years and helped establish centrotherm as a reliable and innovative supplier to leading power semiconductor manufacturers. Gassel's background is particularly impressive—as a partner and co-founder of Silian Partners, he has an exclusive strategic partnership with Ardian Semiconductor and brings over 30 years of international top management experience in the semiconductor industry, including serving on the Executive Board of Infineon Technologies AG.
Stefan Kappis, the new Deputy Chairman, brings financial expertise as a director in the buyout team at Ardian Germany with extensive transaction experience. The company, centrotherm international AG, specializes in thermal production solutions and coating technologies for growth sectors including semiconductors, microelectronics, photovoltaics, and emerging fields like fiber and battery production. With over 70 years of experience and 700 employees worldwide, centrotherm positions itself as a leading global technology group focused on GREEN, SMART, and EFFICIENT solutions. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com, providing additional context about these leadership changes that signal a new strategic direction for the company under Ardian Semiconductor's influence.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Centrotherm Appoints New Supervisory Board Leadership Under Ardian Semiconductor
