Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli will step down on October 31, 2026, handing over both the chief executive role and the chairmanship of the Board of Directors, the Winterthur-based spinning machinery manufacturer announced on September 30, 2026.

Daniel Lippuner will take over as CEO on November 1, 2026. Carl Illi, a Rieter board member since 2017 and a recognized textile industry expert, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board until the next Annual General Meeting on April 14, 2027.

The company said the eventual separation of the CEO and Chairman functions had been planned since Oetterli took office.

"After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands," Oetterli said in a statement.

The Board of Directors thanked Oetterli for his commitment and his contributions to the strategic and operational development of the group. It said the measures initiated under his leadership will strengthen the competitiveness of the group and create a solid foundation to benefit from a future market recovery.

Lippuner brings machinery and components background

Lippuner combines international leadership experience with in-depth knowledge of the textile machinery and components industry. He served as CEO of the Saurer Group and, before that, as Head of Oerlikon Textile Components, leading businesses along the value chain of spinning machines, yarn processing and textile components.

As Chairman of the Board and co-owner of Heberlein Technology, he has also remained closely connected to the chemical fiber industry. Rieter highlighted his experience in transformation, technology and quality management, operational leadership and Asian markets as particularly relevant to the company, which now pairs its established short-staple fiber business with the newly acquired man-made fiber business.

Barmag deal reshaped the portfolio

The February 2026 acquisition of Barmag expanded Rieter's traditional short-staple fiber business into the man-made fibers segment. According to the company, the transaction strengthens the technology leadership of the Rieter Group, opens additional growth opportunities and creates a broader basis for digital solutions in the textile industry.

For mills and spinners sourcing capital equipment, the change at the top comes at a decisive point. A chief executive with direct experience across spinning machinery, textile components and chemical fiber — and specific exposure to Asian markets — will decide how quickly Rieter integrates Barmag and how the combined portfolio competes when the machinery market recovers. Buyers planning long-cycle equipment investments should watch whether the new leadership maintains the site consolidation path and the technology roadmap set under Oetterli.