Centrotherm International AG Announces Supervisory Board Resignations Following Shareholder Restructuring

Centrotherm International AG has announced significant changes to its Supervisory Board following a restructuring of the company's shareholder base. Hans-Hasso Kersten and Dr. Xinan Jia, both members of the Supervisory Board, resigned from their positions effective December 17, 2025. The resignations occurred in the wake of the company's new shareholder structure, marking a transitional period for the thermal production solutions and coating technologies provider.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Robert M. Hartung, will remain a member of the Company's Supervisory Board during this transition. In a statement, Hartung expressed gratitude for the departing members' contributions, noting that "both have made a significant contribution to supporting the Management Board with their expertise in the realignment of the company." The Company's Management Board has initiated the process to fill the vacancies by applying to the Ulm Local Court for the appointment of two new Supervisory Board members, with replacements expected to be appointed in January 2026.

This leadership change reflects the evolving ownership structure of centrotherm, with the new main shareholder—controlled by the Ardian Semiconductor fund—set to be represented by two members on the Supervisory Board moving forward. The company, which has been developing and implementing production concepts for over 70 years, serves growth sectors including the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, photovoltaics, and emerging fields such as fiber and battery production. More information about the company's operations and technologies can be found at www.centrotherm.de.

The departure of these board members represents a notable shift in governance at a critical time for the technology group. Dr. Xinan Jia had been associated with centrotherm since 2006, holding various management positions in Asia before joining the Supervisory Board in 2018. Hans-Hasso Kersten, who served as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Audit Committee, had been with the company since early 2014. Their resignations, coupled with the anticipated appointments by the new shareholder, signal a strategic realignment that could influence the company's direction in competitive global markets where it provides innovative solutions to an international customer base.

The implications of these changes extend beyond corporate governance, potentially affecting centrotherm's strategic initiatives in key technology sectors. As a leading globally active technology group that works closely with partners from industry and research, the composition of its Supervisory Board plays a crucial role in guiding the company's development of production concepts and setting industry trends. The transition comes as the company continues to focus on generating competitive advantages for customers through its GREEN | SMART | EFFICIENT approach, with more than 700 employees worldwide contributing to these efforts.