Daniel Lippuner to become Rieter’s new CEO

(CONNECT) Rieter AG is reorganizing its leadership effective November 1. According to a statement, Daniel Lippuner will assume operational leadership of the Winterthur-based group. He reportedly has many years of leadership experience.

From 2006 to 2013, Lippuner worked at OC Oerlikon, including as Head of Oerlikon Textile Components. He then served as CEO of the Saurer Group until 2015 and was Chief Operating Officer of the Meyer Burger Group from 2017 to 2019. Since 2023, he has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and a shareholder of the textile technology company Heberlein Technology in Wattwil in the canton of St.Gallen. He also serves on the boards of directors of the VAT Group and, since 2025, the Komax Group. Lippuner holds a Bachelor in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences St.Gallen.

Thomas Oetterli will step down from his function as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors effective October 31. The eventual separation of these two positions had already been planned when he took office. Oetterli cites the completion of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures that have been initiated and the acquisition of Barmag as reasons for his departure, explaining that “the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands”. Carl Illi, who has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017, will assume the role of Chairman for the time being. He is expected to be in this position until the Annual General Meeting on April 14, 2027.

Since Barmag's acquisition from OC Oerlikon in February 2026, Rieter has expanded into the man-made fibers segment in addition to its traditional short-staple fiber business. According to Rieter, Lippuner’s experience in the textile machinery and components industry as well as in Asian markets is particularly relevant for the Group in this context. ce/as