Leadership Transition at the KOSTAL Group: Herrmann Succeeds Knickmann

The KOSTAL Group is implementing a long-planned leadership transition: Kai Knickmann (62), long-serving CEO of KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik (KAE) and member of the KOSTAL Group Management Board, will step down at the end of February 2026 as part of a planned age-related succession. He will be succeeded by Hansjörg Herrmann (52), who has been a member of the KAE management team as COO since 2021.

With this transition, the KOSTAL Group ensures continuity and stability at the top of its largest business unit. Kai Knickmann, who has served as CEO of KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik (KAE) and as a member of the KOSTAL Group Management Board since March 2019, will leave the company as planned on February 28, 2026. The transfer of responsibilities to Hansjörg Herrmann will take effect on February 1, 2026. Following this transition, Mr. Knickmann will continue to support the company in an advisory capacity until the end of February.

This leadership change is the result of long-term planning and strategic organizational development. It underscores KOSTAL’s responsible approach to managing generational transition within the family-owned company.

Andreas Kostal, Chairman of the Group Management Board of the KOSTAL Group, acknowledges Kai Knickmann’s strategic contributions and his role in setting the course for the future: “Strategic long-term planning is one of our most valuable assets as a family-owned company. We extend our sincere thanks to Kai Knickmann for his outstanding leadership during a particularly challenging period. With foresight and great commitment, he guided KAE through demanding phases such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing transformation of the mobility industry, while at the same time preparing this leadership transition in a responsible and forward-looking manner. With Hansjörg Herrmann, we have gained the ideal successor at the helm of KAE and within the Group Management Board - someone who has impressively demonstrated his operational and strategic strengths in recent years and who will ensure continuity in our shared KOSTAL values, corporate development, and long-term success.”

The new CEO, Hansjörg Herrmann, will ensure seamless continuity in leadership. Mr. Herrmann is a highly experienced executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in the automotive and process industries. He has been a member of the KAE management team since September 2021 in his role as COO, where he was responsible for the global manufacturing network, including Operations, Industrialization, and Purchasing—preparing him for his new role. His qualifications were demonstrated most notably through the successful turnaround of the Europe+ region. Prior to joining KOSTAL, Mr. Herrmann held senior leadership positions at globally operating companies such as the Theo Müller Group, MANN+HUMMEL, and BorgWarner.