{
  "id": 14374652,
  "title": "Hardware store: Obi surprisingly loses its head to a competitor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/baumarkt-obi-verliert-uberraschend-den-chef-an-einen-konkurrenten",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-14T05:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-konsumgueter/baumarkt-obi-verliert-ueberraschend-den-chef-an-einen-konkurrenten-01/100261689.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Obi's chief executive, Sebastian Gundel, abruptly resigned from his position, leaving the company to announce their mutual parting of ways. The new leadership roles of Financial Chief Miguel Müllenbach and Sales Chief Jochen Ludwig are currently unfilled on a temporary basis. Christian Haub, Obi's supervisory board chairman and majority shareholder of the Tengelmann Group, praised Gundel for his energy, clear strategic vision, and the impetus he provided for Obi, particularly in integrating the brick-and-mortar and digital businesses. Despite this, Gundel must leave the company immediately as he is set to take the position of CEO at the British competitor Kingfisher starting in February 2027. Obi-Aufsichtsratschef Haub stated that the change in the top management of the company does not alter its strategic course, adding that the retailer possesses a strong foundation, clear direction, and an experienced management team. However, the departure of the leader comes at a critical time for the market leader among DIY stores, as the company is undergoing rapid expansion and important strategic transformations. Obi recently acquired franchise partners from rival Hagebau, expanded its professional-client business, and taken over markets from the insolvent competitor Hellweg. With these acquisitions, the company aims to increase its market share in Germany and is currently in the process of replacing the management team.",
  "summary": "Supervisory board chairman Christian Haub praises him - and yet immediately releases him: Right in the middle of an important expansion phase, Sebastian Gundel has announced his departure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}