April 29, 2025
Innovator. Mentor. Friend: Pepperl+Fuchs Bids Farewell to Dr. Gunther Kegel
At the Hannover Messe 2025 trade fair, CEO Dr. Gunther Kegel was given a fitting tribute after 35 years at Pepperl+Fuchs. During the emotional farewell ceremony, he passed the baton to his successor, Dr. Wilhelm Nehring.
As the regular hustle and bustle of the trade fair slowly subsides on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Pepperl+Fuchs booth remains a hive of activity. Within a very short time, a small stage is set up. The lighting is adjusted, bar tables are set up, and a quick sound check is performed. A slideshow runs on the booth’s monitors, illustrating the many stages of Dr. Gunther Kegel’s life and career. Snapshots show the long-standing CEO of the Pepperl+Fuchs Group concentrating at his desk, working the crowd at trade shows, and chatting at meetings with political representatives. But the viewer also gets a glimpse into Dr. Kegel’s private life, seeing him hiking in the Bernese Alps and playing the guitar. The festive setting for a special event in the company's history is complete: After 35 years, Dr. Kegel is leaving the company where he has steered its fortunes as CEO for the last 25 years. Shareholders, the Management Board, employees, invited guests of honor, and companions of Dr. Kegel's came together for this occasion to look back on his achievements, but also to look forward into the future of Pepperl+Fuchs.
The Heart and Soul of the Company
Florian Ochs, CHRO at Pepperl+Fuchs, finds the right words for his fellow board member: “We have gathered here tonight to celebrate Dr. Gunther Kegel. To celebrate him as a person and to honor his work for Pepperl+Fuchs.” Over the past 35 years, Dr. Kegel has helped shape the company like few others. His career at Pepperl+Fuchs began in 1990 as Head of Advanced Development. Within a year, he was appointed Development Manager for the Factory Automation division, which he took over in 1994. Three years later, he became Managing Director, and has now been CEO for more than 25 years. During his three decades with the company, he did much more than expand his area of responsibility. Under Dr. Kegel’s leadership, the family-owned company developed into a hidden champion and consolidated its reputation as a global player in the automation industry. New locations were opened, three global logistics centers were established, and the company’s legal form was changed from a GmbH (limited liability company) to an AG (stock corporation) and finally to the current legal form of Pepperl+Fuchs SE. Dr. Kegel always acted with entrepreneurial foresight. Strategic acquisitions enabled development into new business areas and expansion of existing product areas. This goes hand in hand with the continuous (further) development of innovative products and technologies, which he is passionate about as an engineer with a doctorate. During his tenure at the company, Pepperl+Fuchs successfully entered the fieldbus technology, industrial vision, and LiDAR sensor technology markets, among others.
Monika Müller-Michael and Michael Fuchs, third-generation owners of the family business, honor Kegel's achievements.
Monika Müller-Michael and Michael Fuchs, the third generation to run the family business, also remember that the name Kegel was ever-present in their youth. Dr. Kegel has been the heart and soul of the company for decades. In a way, he will remain so—at least for a while yet—as Michael Fuchs reveals: “We know that we can always ask you for advice, and we really appreciate that.”
Extensive Commitment to Small and Medium-Sized Companies
Dr. Kegel is also a strong advocate for the electrical industry and lends it his voice. He has been involved in the VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) since 2016 and, since 2020, has been Vice President of the BDI (Federation of German Industries) and Chairman of the Exhibitors' Advisory Board of Hannover Messe for Deutsche Messe AG. For almost 30 years, he has also held a wide variety of roles at the ZVEI (German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association). Currently in his second term as ZVEI President, he engages in dialogue with society and politicians. Dr. Kegel is not afraid to stand up for the interests of small and medium-sized companies and to critically question political decisions. Given this level of commitment, it is not surprising that colleagues such as Dr. Wolfgang Weber, CEO of ZVEI, Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG, and Matthias Altendorf, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Endress+Hauser Group, are in agreement: As a visionary leader, innovative thinker and, above all, as a companion and friend, Dr. Kegel leaves behind a great legacy. It is therefore all the more gratifying that he will continue to support Pepperl+Fuchs in an advisory role and will remain with ZVEI until at least 2026.
A Farewell with a Vision
Dr. Kegel himself looks back fondly on his long career at Pepperl+Fuchs. His enthusiasm for technology, his love for the company, and his appreciation for the entire Pepperl+Fuchs workforce resonated in every sentence of his farewell speech: “I couldn't have wished for better colleagues than you, this team, over the past 35 years. You are the best team in the world. Thank you!”
Employees, the Executive Board, shareholders, and guests of honor gathered at the Pepperl+Fuchs booth at the Hannover Messe to honor Dr. Kegel’s departure.
Fellow board member Florian Ochs moderated the evening. The numbers represent Dr. Kegel's company and association affiliations, among other things, and served as recurring themes throughout the speeches.
The chairmanship of the board was symbolically handed over to Dr. Wilhelm Nehring with the presentation of a Pepperl+Fuchs Stetson hat.
The ceremony not only marks the departure of Pepperl+Fuchs' long-standing CEO, but also the symbolic passing of the baton: Dr. Wilhelm Nehring is officially introduced as Dr. Kegel's successor and new CEO. He will take over the management of the company on May 1. Parallel to the change of CEO, there will be another change to the Management Board in May: CFO Werner Guthier will also retire at the same time as Dr. Kegel. However, he will remain active in an advisory role for the time being. Martin Walter will succeed him as Chief Financial Officer. The departure of Dr. Gunther Kegel and Werner Guthier marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Pepperl+Fuchs.
Dr. Gunther Kegel (middle) with his successor as CEO, Dr. Wilhelm Nehring (left), and new CFO Martin Walter (right) at the Hannover Messe trade fair.
With strategic vision and a strong team, the new Management Board is ready to take on the challenges of a changing world and industry. Digitalization, decarbonization, and resilient supply chains—the topics of the future at Hannover Messe—will continue to point the way forward for Pepperl+Fuchs. Dr. Kegel is certain: “They can do it!”
