Schokoladenkonzern: Lindt & Sprüngli trennt sich von Konzernchef Lechner
Preiserhöhungen bremsen den Absatz des Schweizer Unternehmens. Der Verwaltungsrat hält einen neuen Chef für nötig. Auch in Deutschland kommt es zu einem Führungswechsel.
Swiss chocolate giant Lindt & Sprüngli has parted ways with chief executive Adalbert Lechner. The company's board decided that new leadership was needed to bring the business back to growth, reported Lindt & Sprüngli on Monday from Kilchberg. Interim CEO Dieter Weisskopf, 71, assumed interim leadership immediately. Weisskopf had been the financial chief and had led the company until 2022.
He also sits on the board. A permanent successor will be appointed in the second quarter of 2027. The board concluded that Lindt & Sprüngli needed fresh operational leadership to return to consistent, strong growth and better capitalize on global market opportunities. The decision came after two sales warnings within a year. Lechner had worked for Lindt & Sprüngli for 33 years and took over the CEO role at the start of 2022.
The company did not provide further details on the circumstances of his departure. Lindt & Sprüngli has been struggling with declining sales for months due to rising cocoa prices. The manufacturer of Lindor truffles and Schoggi rabbits had to raise its sales prices substantially, averaging 11.8 percent in the first half of 2026. At the same time, sold volumes fell sharply.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Food: Lindt & Sprüngli parts ways with CEO Lechner handelsblatt.com
