Peter Leischner has announced his resignation as a member of the Supervisory Board of R. STAHL AG and has stepped down from his position, effective at the conclusion of yesterday's meeting. Leischner was elected to the Supervisory Board in 2008 and served as its Chairman from 2018 to February 2026. During his tenure, R. STAHL initiated a comprehensive strategic realignment and successfully navigated the major global crises of recent years. Numerous decisions also bear his imprint. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board thank him for his many years of dedicated service.
In order to ensure a proper composition of the Supervisory Board and the company’s continued ability to act, the Executive Board of R. STAHL AG, in agreement with the Supervisory Board, has applied to the relevant court to appoint Elke Eckstein (62) as a member representing the shareholders on the Supervisory Board for the period until the next Annual General Meeting. R. STAHL expects the court to rule on the request in the near future.
Elke Eckstein has many years of experience as a senior executive in industrial companies, in particular in the semiconductor, electronics and photonics sectors. She also brings extensive knowledge from various roles on statutory supervisory boards and comparable international bodies - including at JENOPTIK AG (Jena), KK Group A/S (Denmark), Saferoad SRH Holding AS (Norway), BE Semiconductor Industries NV (Netherlands) and Norautron Group AS (Norway).
"This step paves the way for a smooth transition until the vacant position is filled by election at the next Annual General Meeting. Ms. Eckstein brings outstanding expertise to support R. STAHL from the Supervisory Board as it continues its transformation," said Tobias Popp, Executive Board R. STAHL AG.
The resignation of Leischner, who played a key role in steering R. STAHL through a period of strategic realignment and global challenges, comes at a critical time for the company. R. STAHL is one of the world's leading suppliers of electrical and electronic products and systems for explosion protection. These products and systems prevent explosions in hazardous areas and contribute to the safety of people, machines and the environment. The portfolio covers the portfolio segments Electrical, Automation as well as Lighting and is completed by the cross-divisional function Customer Solutions. Typical customers are the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the oil & gas industry - including LNG applications - as well as the food and beverage industry. Most of the R. STAHL products are also approved for use with hydrogen. In 2025, global sales amounting to around EUR 313 million were generated by 1,659 employees. The shares of R. STAHL AG are traded on the Regulated Market/Prime Standard of Deutsche Boerse (ISIN DE000A1PHBB5).
The appointment of Eckstein, with her extensive background in semiconductors, electronics, and photonics, is expected to bring valuable expertise to the Supervisory Board as R. STAHL continues its transformation. Her experience on international supervisory boards will be instrumental in guiding the company through ongoing industry shifts, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. The move ensures that the Supervisory Board remains fully functional and capable of overseeing the company's strategic direction until shareholders can elect a permanent successor at the next Annual General Meeting. The 34th Annual General Meeting will be held to elect a successor, providing shareholders with the opportunity to formally approve the board composition. For more information about R. STAHL, visit www.r-stahl.com. The original release can be viewed at www.newmediawire.com.
