Johannes Schick, CEO of Linhardt Group GmbH, has announced his resignation. In a letter to employees and business partners, he cites „fundamentally different views“ on the strategic direction as the reason and announces his departure by 31 July 2026 at the latest.
In a letter dated 19 November 2025, Schick confirms a rumour circulating within the company about his imminent departure. He had already submitted his resignation to the shareholders four weeks ago, writes the long-serving Managing Director. The decision was difficult for him, but was „unavoidable“ due to strategic differences.
In his letter, Schick looks back on around six and a half years at the helm of Linhardt. During this time, the „Linhardt family“ has grown closer together and undergone „impressive development“. The company stands for reliability, quality, innovation, sustainability and fair and respectful partnerships. These values are largely supported by the commitment and loyalty of the workforce, he emphasises. Schick sees numerous regional, national and international awards for product and process innovations as proof of the Group's market position.
Schick counts the positioning of Linhardt as the global market leader in aluminium tubes for the pharmaceutical industry and the development of small aluminium bottles for the beverage industry among the milestones of his time in office. The loss-free sale of the Russian site in Siberia after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine is also emphasised in the letter as an expression of shared corporate values.
Numerous digitalisation and automation projects
The CEO also refers to numerous digitalisation and automation projects, the establishment of the company's own Linhardt Academy, capacity expansions at all German locations and the acquisition and integration of the Indian Pioneer Group, which now operates as Linhardt Pvt. Ltd. An increased presence in social media, local and regional sponsorship activities and the targeted development of managers from within the company's own ranks have further strengthened employees' identification with the company.
Despite years of economic weakness in Germany and large parts of Europe, Schick points to the Group's positive economic development. After five years of rising results, Linhardt achieved the best operating result in its history last year. According to him, the Group also expects a „satisfactory result“ for the current year, which will put the company on a solid footing for an „unpredictable 2026“.
In conclusion, Mr Schick appeals to the workforce to continue along the chosen path with determination and consistency and to continue to place their trust in the future management team. According to the letter, his commitment to Linhardt will end on 31 July 2026 at the latest; the company intends to announce his successor at a later date.
Source: Linhardt
