As planned, Bernd Eulitz, Deputy CEO since February 2022 and CEO of Messer since April 2023, will retire upon the expiration of his term. Under his leadership, key milestones were achieved, including the acquisition of the shares in Messer Americas from CVC, the recruitment of the global long-term investor, GIC, as a minority shareholder, and key refinancing measures. Bernd was instrumental in bringing the global Messer teams together operating as one global team with harmonized governance structures.
“After an intense and highly rewarding period at Messer, and after a long, global executive career, the time has come for me to step down from this responsibility and focus on my family and personal pursuits. I have thoroughly enjoyed developing this company globally during such a pivotal phase. Together with an outstanding team, especially in close collaboration with the Executive Management Board and Supervisory Board Chairman Stefan Messer, I am proud of what we have accomplished. I am confident that Messer is excellently positioned to continue its successful path,” said Bernd Eulitz.
“Bernd Eulitz has made a significant contribution to Messer and has our deepest appreciation. He has guided Messer through a transformative phase and turbulent macroeconomic environment with great clarity, personal integrity, and a compelling global vision. He strengthened the focus on new growth opportunities and established partnerships in key markets. On behalf of the shareholders and the Supervisory Board, I thank him for his leadership and for exemplifying Messer’s values,” said Stefan Messer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Peter Mohnen to Become New CEO
Effective July 1st, 2026, Peter Mohnen will assume the role of CEO of the world’s largest privately held industrial gas company. Having recently been appointed to Messer’s Supervisory Board, he will resign from this position upon taking office as CEO. Peter Mohnen brings more than 30 years of international leadership experience at global industrial companies, most recently serving as CEO of automation specialist KUKA from 2018 to 2025.
“Peter Mohnen will preserve and promote what has made Messer strong as a family-owned company. Simultaneously, he will drive the sustainable development of the global organization - in close coordination with the owner family. Our new CEO embodies what matters to us: respecting people in their diversity, building on their strengths, and creating an environment where trust drives motivation, so that we can continue to be an important and reliable partner for our customers. We are very much looking forward to working together,” said Stefan Messer.
“I am honored to take on responsibility for a company built over generations on reliability, customer focus, and long-term thinking. My goal is to carry on this legacy while also exploring new opportunities. I assume this role with great respect for Messer’s history and strong confidence in its future,” said Peter Mohnen.
Change in European Leadership
After the successful integration of the three European regions, Virginia Esly, member of the Executive Management Board and COO Europe, will leave the company as of June 30th, 2026, at her own request. Over the past years, she has shaped the European business into a high-performing, more profitable, and future-ready organization.
Under her leadership, the European region recorded strong business performance with revenues of approximately 1.3 billion euros and a significant EBITDA increase. With a clear focus, she has significantly advanced safety culture, process excellence, and digital transformation and thereby sustainably strengthened the European companies in the long term.
Stefan Messer: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the entire Messer team, I would like to thank Virginia for her valuable contribution and commitment. Under her direction the European business has become more integrated and profitable. We wish her all the best for her future career.”
Virginia Esly: “I would like to thank Messer’s Supervisory and Executive Management Board, all my colleagues and our customers and business partners, for their excellent and trusting collaboration. It has been a privilege to work with such talented teams. Together, we have strengthened Messer’s position in Europe and made it even more resilient. I am convinced that Messer is very well prepared for the future.”
Matthias Thiele, who has been Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Messer since January 2026, will assume responsibility for the European business as COO Europe effective July 1st, 2026. In this role, he will report directly to CEO Peter Mohnen. His focus will be on driving customer-centric growth and further strengthening the country organizations. Matthias Thiele has been with Messer for more than 40 years and brings extensive leadership experience, including numerous roles as Managing Director of Messer companies since 2002.
Family-Owned Company with Clear Values
With its new leadership structure, Messer reaffirms its commitment to remaining an independent, family-owned company guided by long-term thinking, reliability and strong values. “Trust, integrity, responsibility, and entrepreneurial spirit remain the cornerstones of our governance. Messer is financially sound, organizationally strong, and deeply rooted in its identity as a family-owned business. On this basis, we are taking the next step,” said Stefan Messer.
