Following two revenue warnings, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG parted ways with Chief Executive Officer Adalbert Lechner, naming former boss Dieter Weisskopf as interim leader effective immediately.
Adalbert Lechner Departs After Two Revenue Warnings
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG removed Adalbert Lechner from his post as Chief Executive Officer, taking drastic action following a turbulent year marked by back-to-back profit warnings. Lechner, who spent 33 years with the company and took the helm as CEO in early 2022, left the organization immediately as the board concluded that new operational leadership was necessary to restore consistent growth.
To steady the ship, the board turned to familiar territory. Dieter Weisskopf, 71, stepped in as interim Chief Executive Officer. Weisskopf previously led the Swiss chocolatier until 2022 and served as Chief Financial Officer for many years. He also maintains a seat on the board of directors as the incumbent vice-chairman. The company indicated that a permanent successor will likely be named in the second quarter of 2027.
Surging Retail Prices and Stumbling European Sales
The leadership shakeup follows months of turbulence tied to the cost of raw ingredients and shifting consumer behavior.
Compounding the retail friction, an unseasonal summer heatwave across Europe further depressed demand during peak periods.
Full-Year Forecast Cuts and Leadership Shifts in Germany
At the end of September, Lindt lowered its full-year guidance for the second time in 2026. Management scaled back its organic growth expectations from an original range of 6 to 8 percent down to a modest 0 to 2 percent. The compounding profit warnings sent company stock tumbling on the Swiss exchange.
The fallout extended beyond the executive suite at headquarters. Michal Spiller, the head of the German division, departed after 23 years with the firm.
Rebuilding Growth Outside Europe
Interim leader Weisskopf plans to prioritize reviving the European markets while increasing brand investments and shoring up overall profitability.
Before the leadership transition, shares on the Swiss Stock Exchange closed at CHF86,900, up 0.81 percent.