Business · Companies · 27 mins ago
Lindt & Sprüngli removes CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect
Lindt & Sprüngli has removed CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect, the Swiss chocolate company said on Monday.
Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf will take over temporarily; he led the company from 2016 to 2022.
The change comes after the company cut its expected sales growth to 0 to 2 percent, down from 4 to 6 percent.
Lindt & Sprüngli said price-sensitive consumers and extreme summer heat contributed to the weaker outlook.
The board says it wants new leadership to restore steady growth and make better use of opportunities worldwide.
A permanent successor is expected in the second quarter of 2027.
Lindt & Sprüngli removed CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf has taken over operational leadership on an interim basis.
The company said it needs new leadership to return to strong, sustained growth and make better use of market opportunities worldwide.
A permanent successor is expected to be appointed in the second quarter of 2027.
The change follows a second downward revision of the company’s 2026 sales outlook, amid weak growth and consumer sensitivity to higher prices.
- Who
- Lindt & Sprüngli removed CEO Adalbert Lechner. Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf is interim leader.
- What
- Lechner left the company with immediate effect, and Weisskopf took over operational leadership.
- When
- 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Lindt & Sprüngli, based in Kilchberg, Switzerland.
- Why
- The board said new operational leadership was needed to return to sustained, strong growth and better exploit global market opportunities.
Lindt & Sprüngli’s board
Inside Paradeplatz’s commentary
Reason for the change
Lindt & Sprüngli’s board
The board said the company needed new operational leadership to return to sustained, strong growth.
Inside Paradeplatz’s commentary
Inside Paradeplatz called the CEO change a panic move and argued that the company’s difficulties stemmed from the leadership of executive chairman Ernst Tanner.
Lindt & Sprüngli’s average price increases were 11.8%, while sales volumes fell significantly.
The company began offering some products at lower prices and also relied on smaller pack sizes.
Lindt & Sprüngli lowered its 2026 sales outlook for the second time that year.
The company removed Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect and appointed Dieter Weisskopf interim leader.
- CEO removed
- Adalbert Lechner
- Interim leader
- Dieter Weisskopf, former CEO
- Permanent successor
- Appointment planned for the second quarter of 2027
- 2026 growth outlook
- 0% to 2% organic growth, according to Watson
- First-half price increases
- Average 11.8%
- Lechner’s tenure
- 33 years at Lindt & Sprüngli; became group CEO in early 2022
9 sources
Schokoladenkonzern: Lindt & Sprüngli trennt sich von Konzernchef Lechner
Lindt & Sprüngli se sépare de son directeur général, Adalbert Lechner
Lindt’s CEO Exits as Chocolate Firm Grapples With Weak Demand
Lindt-Chef Adalbert Lechner muss per sofort gehen
Lindt-Chef Lechner muss per sofort gehen
Ernst Tanner mobilisiert letztes Aufgebot in Schoggi-Krise
Führungswechsel in Kilchberg: Lindt & Sprüngli wirft Konzernchef Lechner raus
Lindt & Sprüngli-Chef muss per sofort gehen
CEO Lechner verlässt Lindt&Sprüngli
What people are saying
The board is convinced that this leadership change will actively drive future growth.
Lindt & Sprüngli needs new operational leadership to return to sustained, strong growth and better exploit market opportunities worldwide.