Stabilus SE Proposes Dr. Frank Heinricht for Supervisory Board Leadership Role

The Supervisory Board of Stabilus SE has resolved to propose Dr. Frank Heinricht for election to the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for February 4, 2026. This strategic move addresses the planned departure of Dr. Stephan Kessel, who will not seek re-election after completing three terms. The succession planning follows a structured selection process conducted by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee led by Dr. Ralf-Michael Fuchs, who identified Dr. Heinricht as the ideal candidate to fill the upcoming vacancy.

If elected by shareholders, Dr. Heinricht is expected to succeed Dr. Kessel as Chair of the Supervisory Board, subject to the corresponding resolution by the board. This leadership transition comes at a critical time for Stabilus as the company continues to expand its position as a leading industrial supplier of motion control solutions. The selection process carefully considered the Supervisory Board's composition objectives, overall competence profile, and diversity concept to ensure the proposed candidate aligns with the company's strategic direction and governance requirements.

Dr. Frank Heinricht brings over three decades of executive experience across multiple industrial sectors, including metals, specialty glass, and electrical industries. His most recent role as Chair of the Board of Management at Schott AG from 2013 to 2024 provided him with extensive leadership experience, including overseeing the successful initial public offering of Schott Pharma AG in 2023. Prior to his tenure at Schott, Dr. Heinricht served on the Management Board of Heraeus Holding GmbH from 2003 to 2013, including six years as Chair of the Management Board at one of Germany's leading family-owned technology companies.

His career foundation includes serving as sole Managing Director of ATMEL Germany GmbH from 1998 to 2002, a semiconductor company now part of the US-based Microchip Technology group. Dr. Heinricht's academic credentials include a degree and doctorate in physics from the Technical University of Berlin, followed by his professional start at Temic Telefunken microelectronic, a manufacturer of semiconductors and automotive electronics.

Beyond his executive management roles, Dr. Heinricht possesses substantial governance experience through multiple board positions. He has served as Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board of the Wurth Group for approximately 15 years and currently holds positions on the advisory board of Schwarz Unternehmenstreuhand KG and the supervisory board of B. Braun SE. This diverse board experience across different corporate structures provides him with comprehensive understanding of corporate governance best practices.

Dr. Stephan Kessel, the outgoing Chair of the Supervisory Board, expressed satisfaction with his tenure, noting Stabilus's significant growth through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, including the recent Destaco acquisition. He emphasized that these achievements have positioned the company for continued future growth and expressed confidence in Dr. Heinricht's ability to contribute valuable expertise and leadership to the Supervisory Board. Dr. Ralf-Michael Fuchs echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Dr. Heinricht's extensive management experience and broad market knowledge would provide valuable impetus for Stabilus's further development.

The formal invitation to the Annual General Meeting will be published in mid-December 2025, providing shareholders with detailed information about the agenda and voting procedures. This leadership transition represents a carefully planned succession strategy designed to maintain governance stability while bringing fresh perspectives to Stabilus's supervisory oversight as the company navigates evolving market conditions and growth opportunities in the motion control solutions sector.