Gurit Appoints Viktor Bernhardt as New Chief Financial Officer

Gurit has announced the appointment of Viktor Bernhardt as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective December 1, 2025. The German national will succeed Javier Perez-Freije, whose departure was previously scheduled for the end of November 2025. This leadership transition comes at a critical time for the advanced composites manufacturer as it navigates global market dynamics and strategic growth opportunities.

Bernhardt brings more than 25 years of international finance and leadership experience to the role, having held senior positions across multinational corporations, private equity portfolio companies, and family-owned businesses. His extensive background in corporate transformation, restructuring, merger and acquisition execution, and strategic growth initiatives positions him well to lead Gurit's financial operations. The company expects his expertise will be instrumental in guiding the organization through its next phase of development and market expansion.

The appointment signals Gurit's commitment to strengthening its financial leadership amid evolving market conditions. Bernhardt's most recent position was as CFO of the KWC Group, where he gained valuable experience in financial management and strategic planning. His educational background includes a degree in Business Administration from TA Wuppertal in Germany and executive education completed at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. This combination of academic credentials and practical experience provides a solid foundation for his new responsibilities at Gurit.

Viktor Bernhardt expressed enthusiasm about joining the company, stating that he looks forward to collaborating with the team to drive strong financial performance and contribute meaningfully to the company's long-term success. His appointment reflects Gurit's strategic focus on maintaining financial discipline while pursuing growth opportunities in key markets. The company operates production sites and offices across multiple continents, serving global growth markets including the wind turbine industry, marine sector, building materials, and other specialized applications.

CEO Tobias Luhrig extended gratitude to outgoing CFO Javier Perez-Freije for his dedication and service while welcoming Bernhardt to the executive team. The leadership change occurs as Gurit continues to specialize in developing and manufacturing advanced composite materials, composite tooling equipment, and core kitting services. The company's product portfolio includes structural core materials, structural profiles, prepregs, formulated products such as adhesives and resins, and structural composite engineering solutions. Additional information about the company's operations and financial performance can be found at https://www.gurit.com.

The financial leadership transition underscores Gurit's commitment to maintaining strong corporate governance and financial management practices. Bernhardt's extensive experience in M&A execution and corporate transformation aligns with the company's strategic objectives in the competitive advanced materials sector. As global markets for composite materials continue to evolve, particularly in renewable energy applications like wind power, effective financial leadership becomes increasingly crucial for sustainable growth and market leadership.