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Lindt & Sprüngli replaces CEO following sales warnings
Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli has dismissed CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect. The decision follows two revenue warnings within a single year and significant sales challenges in the European market.
Lechner, who had been with the company for 33 years and took the helm in 2022, is replaced by former CEO Dieter Weisskopf, who will serve as interim leader. The board of directors stated that new operational leadership is required to return the company to consistent, strong growth and to better capture global market opportunities. A permanent successor is expected to be appointed in the second quarter of 2027.
The leadership change comes as the company struggles with rising cocoa costs, which led to an average price increase of 11.8 percent in the first half of 2026. These price hikes resulted in a significant decline in sales volumes, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, where consumers showed higher price sensitivity than expected. Additionally, a European heatwave impacted seasonal product sales.
In addition to the group-level change, Lindt is restructuring regional leadership. Ali Kulein, previously the head of the Austrian unit, will take over the German operations, while Fabian Reinhardt, the head of global sales, will lead the Austrian business.
Entities
Adalbert Lechner · Ali Kulein · Dieter Weisskopf · Ernst Tanner · Fabian Reinhardt · Lindt & Sprüngli · Michal Spiller
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The company lowered its 2026 organic growth forecast from 6-8 percent to 0-2 percent. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.moneycab.com · www.finanzen.net
- [● 5 SOURCES] The company issued two revenue warnings within a single year. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.moneycab.com · www.volksfreund.de · www.finanzen.net · www.noz.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] Dieter Weisskopf has assumed the role of interim CEO with immediate effect. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.moneycab.com · www.volksfreund.de · www.finanzen.net · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] A permanent successor is expected to be appointed in the second quarter of 2027. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.moneycab.com · www.volksfreund.de · www.finanzen.net · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Average price increases in the first half of 2026 were 11.8 percent. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.moneycab.com · www.volksfreund.de · www.finanzen.net · www.noz.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] Lindt & Sprüngli is parting ways with CEO Adalbert Lechner. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.moneycab.com · www.volksfreund.de · www.finanzen.net · +1 more