Dr Alois Waldburg-Zeil will take over as CEO of CPH Group AG on 1 April 2025. He succeeds Dr Peter Schildknecht, who is taking over strategic responsibilities after 16 years at the helm of the company.
The Board of Directors of CPH Group AG has appointed Dr Alois Waldburg-Zeil as its new CEO and Chairman of the Group Executive Board. He succeeds Dr Peter Schildknecht, who has held the position for 16 years and will in future concentrate on strategic tasks. The handover of office will take place on 1 April 2025.
„I am delighted that in Dr Alois Waldburg-Zeil we have been able to appoint an ideal internal successor as the future CEO. With his expertise, experience and leadership personality, he will lead the company successfully into the future.“
Peter Schaub, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CPH Group AG
Experience and strategic orientation
Dr Alois Waldburg-Zeil (born 1963) has headed the Chemistry/Zeochem division since 2010 and has made a significant contribution to the company's development over the past 15 years. Under his leadership, Zeochem has established itself as a global supplier of molecular sieves and deuterated products.
„I am honoured to take over the management of this long-established company,“ said Waldburg-Zeil. „We will expand the global presence and market share of Zeochem and Pearls Packaging and achieve sustainable, profitable growth.“
Future plans and corporate strategy
Waldburg-Zeil will manage the CPH Group AG in personal union with the management of the Chemistry Division. At the same time, he will transfer operational responsibility for Molecular Sieves to an internal successor. Dr Peter Schildknecht will remain in office until the end of March 2025 and will be fully responsible for the 2024 financial statements.
Company development and economic situation in 2024
CPH Group AG reported a currency-adjusted sales decline of 8.5 % to CHF 323.3 million in 2024 with the remaining divisions due to lower material costs. This resulted in an EBITDA of CHF 53.8 million, which corresponds to a solid EBITDA margin of 16.6 %. EBIT totalled CHF 39.2 million, while the net result generated by Zeochem and Perlen Packaging was CHF 34.4 million.
Pearls Packaging: Sustained demand for high-barrier products
Increasingly complex medications and a growing need to protect drugs from high humidity and oxygen exposure in emerging markets supported the demand for high-barrier products. Sales of over-the-counter (OTC) products and food supplements declined due to the subdued economy. Delivery and supply bottlenecks for pharmaceuticals led to a decline in demand for pharmaceutical packaging, particularly in Europe. Plant utilisation fell over the course of the year, with the exception of Brazil. Raw materials such as PVC were available worldwide and prices normalised over the course of the financial year.
At the end of 2024, Perlen Packaging acquired LOG Pharma, which has production facilities in Israel and Hungary. LOG Pharma complements the company's product range with vials and containers as complementary primary packaging for medicines and the site in Hungary gives it access to the Eastern European market for pharmaceutical packaging. The transaction was successfully completed at the beginning of February 2025.
Source: CPH Group AG
