India, Sept. 10 -- Buhler Group announces a key leadership transition within its Grains & Food business. After a decade of outstanding leadership, Johannes Wick will step down from his role as CEO Grains & Food at the end of 2025 to take on a new strategic position within Buhler. Mike Hafeli will succeed him as CEO Grains & Food and Member of the Executive Board.
Johannes Wick has been instrumental in shaping Buhler's Grains & Food business over the past 10 years. Under his leadership, Grains & Food has significantly expanded its global market share, launched new business ventures, and achieved strong financial performance. He has built a diverse and high-performing leadership team and driven innovation in grain processing, alternative proteins, chocolate processing, and for confectionary products. His tenure also saw the successful development of strategic collaborations with Imdher (Mexico), Endeco (Germany), and Premier Tech (Canada and China), as well as new ventures in nut de-bacterization and grain puffing.
Mike Hafeli, who previously served as CEO of the Eisberg Group and Member of the Executive Board of the Bell Food Group, will return to Buhler and be appointed CEO Grains & Food and Member of the Executive Board, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Johannes Wick. Mike Hafeli started his career at Buhler with an apprenticeship more than 30 years ago. He later graduated as a mechatronic engineer and started an impressive career in various roles across automation, sales, and business leadership. Among others, Hafeli worked for many years as Vice President Automation in North America. From 2015 to 2023, he successfully led the business area Grain Quality & Supply at Buhler.
"Johannes Wick has been a driving force behind Buhler's transformation in the Grains & Food business. His strategic vision, deep industry expertise, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy. We thank Johannes for his exceptional leadership and contributions to Buhler's success," says Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Buhler Group. "We are equally excited to welcome Mike Hafeli back to the company. His broad experience and leadership across both Buhler and the wider food industry make him the ideal successor to lead Grains & Food into its next chapter of innovation and growth."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.