Bystronic has nominated Daniel Bischofberger and Fabrice Billard as new members of its Board of Directors, with both executives bringing extensive international leadership experience in industrial technology and transformation. The nominees would succeed Dr. Matthias Auer and Urs Riedener, who are stepping down after years of service to the company. Daniel Bischofberger, currently CEO of Accelleron Industries Ltd, has held various leadership roles at ABB Asea Brown Boveri and Sulzer, with experience spanning the United States, Malaysia, and Switzerland. His background includes successfully leading acquisitions, integration projects, and a stock market listing. As a proven technology and service expert, he has expressed particular interest in Bystronic's systems and its service business.
Fabrice Billard, CEO of Burckhardt Compression, successfully led that company's transformation by accelerating growth, improving profitability, and optimizing processes. Prior to his current role, he spent twelve years in leadership positions at Sulzer, gaining extensive international experience across various industries and markets while working in Switzerland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Dr. Heinz O. Baumgartner, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated that with these nominations, Bystronic gains two strong leaders whose experience in the global industrial environment perfectly matches the company's needs. The company also expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Auer and Mr. Riedener for their many years of service and valuable contributions.
The election will take place at Bystronic's 2025 Annual General Meeting in April 2026, with the date and location to be announced soon. Additional information about the current Board members and those nominated for election is available on Bystronic's website. The nominations come as Bystronic continues to position itself as an international leader in sheet metal processing technology and innovation, offering advanced laser cutting systems, press brakes, and intelligent automation solutions supported by global services. The company's focus on digital transformation through Bystronic Software aligns with the incoming board members' backgrounds in technology and industrial transformation.
With headquarters in Switzerland and additional development and production facilities in Germany, Spain, Italy, China, and the United States, Bystronic serves customers in more than thirty countries through its own subsidiaries and a network of dealers and agents. The board changes reflect the company's ongoing strategic evolution in a competitive global industrial technology market. These appointments signal Bystronic's commitment to strengthening its leadership with executives who have proven track records in managing international operations, driving technological innovation, and executing successful business transformations. The timing of these nominations coincides with the company's efforts to enhance its market position through advanced automation solutions and digital services, which are increasingly critical in modern manufacturing environments.
The industrial technology sector faces constant pressure to innovate and adapt to changing market demands, making experienced leadership particularly valuable. Bystronic's selection of executives with backgrounds in both established industrial companies and transformation-focused roles suggests a strategic approach to navigating these challenges. The company's emphasis on global service capabilities and digital solutions aligns with broader industry trends toward integrated, technology-driven manufacturing systems. These board nominations represent more than routine personnel changes; they reflect a deliberate strategy to infuse the company's leadership with expertise that can drive growth in key areas like service business expansion, international market penetration, and technological advancement.
