On Jan. 1, Marc Schaad, the long-standing CTO, will take over the operational management of the Kistler Group from Rolf Sonderegger, who has led the group as CEO for 22 years. Marc Schaad, who is on the right in the photo above, is a mechanical engineer and graduate of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH). In his current role, he has played a crucial part in the Kistler Group’s ongoing development. He has been responsible for research and development, has headed a business unit and, at the beginning of 2024, he added strategic product management to his remit.
Thanks to his wide-ranging experience in these key areas, Marc Schaad is excellently qualified to continue the Kistler Group’s successful development and to tap new potential. Marc Schaad is looking forward to the new challenge. He explained, “Kistler's DNA and values remain unchanged: a family-run company with a long-term strategic vision that focuses on cutting-edge technology to meet the challenges of today's and tomorrow's customers. I look forward to continuing this success story with a highly motivated Kistler team." “As the years have gone by, we have worked together to surmount half a dozen crises, overcome various setbacks and celebrate some extraordinary successes.
Growth has been the keynote in 19 out of the last 22 financial years–years that have been magnificent and thrilling, but always challenging. However, there is a time for everything, so I will be stepping down as CEO at the end of 2024,” Sonderegger said. Sonderegger is on the left in the photo above.
From component manufacturer to information provider
Under the leadership of Rolf Sonderegger, Kistler has evolved from a component manufacturer into a leading global provider of complete measurement technology solutions for highly dynamic applications. The company was founded at Winterthur in 1959 by Hans Conrad Sonderegger (Rolf Sonderegger’s father) and Walter P. Kistler. In 2002, Rolf Sonderegger assumed overall responsibility as CEO and Delegate of the Board of Directors, and he acquired Walter P. Kistler’s shares at the same time.
Driven by a targeted growth strategy and strategic acquisitions, the company has achieved sustainable growth of over 500 percent and created more than 1,500 jobs.
Kistler Group is committed to continuity
Rolf Sonderegger emphasizes: “I’m delighted that Marc Schaad, our CTO for the last 15 years, will be taking over operational leadership as of 1 January, 2025. Marc has all the right credentials to continue this success story.”
Kistler remains in family ownership
Rolf Sonderegger remains the majority owner of the Kistler Group, and he will take over as Chairman of the Board of Directors from Valentin Vogt in spring 2027 after a two-year sabbatical.
About the Kistler Group
Kistler is the global market leader for dynamic pressure, force, torque and acceleration measurement technology. Cutting-edge technologies provide the basis for Kistler's modular solutions. Customers in industry and scientific research benefit from Kistler's experience as a development partner, enabling them to optimize their products and processes so as to secure sustainable competitive edge. Unique sensor technology from this owner-managed Swiss corporation helps to shape future innovations not only in automotive development and industrial automation but also in many newly emerging sectors. Drawing on our extensive application expertise, and always with an absolute commitment to quality, Kistler plays a key part in the ongoing development of the latest megatrends.
The focus is on issues such as electrified drive technology, autonomous driving, emission reduction and Industry 4.0. Some 2,200 employees at more than 60 facilities across the globe are dedicated to the development of new solutions, and they offer application-specific services at the local level. Ever since it was founded in 1959, the Kistler Group has grown hand-in-hand with its customers and in 2023, it posted sales of CHF 465 million. About 9% of this figure is reinvested in research and technology–with the aim of delivering better results for every customer.