Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 12, 2026
GEA CEO Stefan Klebert to Step Down in 2027; Klaus Stojentin Named Successor
TLDR
- GEA's CEO transition to Klaus Stojentin in April 2027 signals continuity after Stefan Klebert's growth-driven tenure, offering rivals a window to exploit any leadership uncertainty.
- GEA's Supervisory Board resolved that Klaus Stojentin will succeed Stefan Klebert as CEO on April 29, 2027, with Dr. Andreas Seeringer joining the Executive Board.
- GEA's leadership change continues its sustainability-driven transformation, supporting efficient food and pharma production that reduces CO2 emissions, plastic use, and food waste worldwide.
- Stefan Klebert steps down after eight years as GEA CEO, having led the company into the DAX40 in 2025 as the first pure-play machinery and plant engineering firm.
Impact - Why it Matters
This leadership change matters because GEA is a global leader in machinery and plant engineering for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, with over 18,000 employees and €5.5 billion in revenue. The company’s technologies process a significant share of the world’s pasta, chicken nuggets, and pharma separators, making its strategic direction critical to global supply chains. Stefan Klebert’s tenure saw GEA join the DAX40 and achieve major sustainability milestones, setting a strong foundation for future growth. Klaus Stojentin’s deep institutional knowledge and experience leading key divisions position him to continue GEA’s successful trajectory, ensuring stability for customers, investors, and employees. The smooth transition, with Klebert’s full support until the 2027 AGM, minimizes disruption and signals confidence in GEA’s long-term strategy. As industries face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, GEA’s leadership continuity is essential for driving innovation and efficiency in essential sectors.
Summary
GEA Group AG, a global supplier of systems and components for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, has announced a major leadership transition. CEO Stefan Klebert (61) will step down at his own request and by mutual agreement with the Supervisory Board following the conclusion of the 2027 Annual General Meeting on April 28, 2027. Klaus Stojentin (59), currently CEO of the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division and a member of the Executive Board, will succeed him as CEO for a five-year term. Dr. Andreas Seeringer (46), who has led GEA’s Farm Technologies Division since 2024, will join the Executive Board for a three-year term and succeed Stojentin as CEO of the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division. The changes will take effect on April 29, 2027.
Stefan Klebert, who took over as CEO in February 2019, has led GEA through a fundamental transformation. Under his leadership, the company consistently increased order intake, revenue, profitability, and market capitalization, while integrating sustainability as a core pillar of its corporate strategy. GEA achieved important milestones in its corporate and climate strategies ahead of schedule and joined the DAX40 in September 2025, becoming the first pure-play machinery and plant engineering company to do so. Prof. Dieter Kempf, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, praised Klebert’s strategic foresight and extraordinary passion, and expressed confidence in Klaus Stojentin, who has known GEA for 23 years and successfully led two divisions. Klebert stated that with the successful formation of a new Executive Board team in January 2026, now is the right time to hand over leadership, and he expressed full support for the transition process until the AGM.
Klaus Stojentin, who holds a degree in Energy and Utilities Supply Engineering and has been with GEA since 2003, previously led the company’s vital separator business, now part of the Pure Flow Processing Division. He thanked the Supervisory Board and Klebert for their trust and said he looks forward to building on GEA’s strong foundation and driving its successful development. Dr. Andreas Seeringer has been with GEA since 2013 and has led the Farm Technologies Division since 2024. For further information about GEA, visit the company’s Press page.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, GEA CEO Stefan Klebert to Step Down in 2027; Klaus Stojentin Named Successor
