Ad hoc announcements

CPH Group AG CEO to step down after 16 years

CPH Group AG's CEO Peter Schildknecht will step down from his role as CEO of CPH Group AG and Perlen Industrieholding AG (formerly known as CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG) at the beginning of 2026 in order to devote more time to strategic tasks. CPH Group AG’s and Perlen Industrieholding AG's Board of Directors would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the Group's development over the past 16 years.

Perlen, 22 January 2025 – At the age of 62, Peter Schildknecht has decided to step down from his positions as CEO of CPH Group AG and Perlen Industrieholding AG, which he has held since the split-up of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG in mid-2024, by the end of January 2026 at the latest. He would like to hand over the operational development of the two groups to new management and, going forward, to devote more time to strategic tasks as part of his Board of Directors mandates.

CPH Group AG (formerly known as CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG) developed very dynamically under Peter Schildknecht’s operational leadership. While the Chemistry and Packaging divisions have expanded strongly internationally in recent years, building up various production sites worldwide and making value-adding acquisitions, the Paper division has consistently pursued a strategy of cost leadership. Peter Schildknecht has successfully developed these divisions, delivering strong improvements in the company’s results and shaping the Group through consistent, efficient and successful leadership.

In mid-2024, the then-current CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG was split into two focused companies. On the one hand, CPH Group AG with the remaining chemistry and packaging activities, as a fast-growing, innovative and globally active growth company that will remain listed on the stock exchange. And on the other hand, the OTC-traded Perlen Industrieholding AG, which focuses on the Western European paper business and includes the development potential of the business’ attractive Perlen industrial site.

“The Board of Directors regrets his decision to step down and would like to express its sincere gratitude to Peter Schildknecht for his tireless efforts over the past 16 years, thanks to which the two newly created groups have an excellent financial position and are firmly anchored in the market,” says Peter Schaub, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CPH Group AG and Perlen Industrieholding AG. “We wish Peter Schildknecht all the best for the future”. The Board of Directors will initiate the succession process for both groups and will provide information on the succession in due course.

 

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