The new Management Board will consist of two members. In addition to Philipp Ebbinghaus, Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (54), currently CCO, will continue as a member of the Management Board. Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler (71) will transition to the Supervisory Board as its chairman. The company will remain entirely family-owned, with 100% of its shares retained within family hands. Additionally, Dieter Magiera will step down from the Supervisory Board at the end of July due to age.

Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler reflected on his tenure, stating, “After 46 years of operational responsibility, including 18 years as CEO, I look back with gratitude and forward with confidence. One of my key objectives has always been not only to guide the continuous development of our company but also to ensure a well-structured and forward-looking transition in leadership.” He expressed strong confidence in his successor, adding, “Philipp Ebbinghaus is a capable leader, an exceptional asset to us both personally and professionally. His outstanding contributions over the past decade make him a natural choice for this role.”

A streamlined Management Board

After studying economics and gaining experience outside the family business, Philipp Ebbinghaus has played a pivotal role at Sandler since 2013, driving strategic initiatives in finance and overseeing major internal projects. “His leadership in establishing our first production facility abroad, which opened in 2016, is particularly commendable. He was instrumental in the US site selection of Georgia, as well as the construction and expansion of the Perry facility,” remarked Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler.

Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, the other member of the two-person Management Board, effective August 2025, has been with the company since 1998. A chemistry Ph.D., he has served on the Executive Board since 2012 and is currently responsible for the Sandler Group's global sales operations.

Philipp Ebbinghaus expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, stating, “It is an honor to take on the role of CEO at Sandler. I sincerely thank the Supervisory Board and our family shareholders for their trust. The economic climate and persistently high energy costs present challenges, but we have a clear strategy to enhance efficiency and make targeted investments in our production capabilities and workforce expertise. I look forward to working with Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck and our dedicated teams in Schwarzenbach and Perry to drive the Sandler Group’s continued success.”

Challenging economic conditions

In 2024, high energy costs and a challenging economic environment continued to impact Sandler Group's business performance. The company reported a revenue of 326 million euros, with a workforce of 980 employees. “We are not satisfied with our 2024 financial results. Although costs have decreased compared to the extraordinary energy price surge of 2023, they remain significantly high compared to international competition,” said Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler. Market conditions led to cautious customer spending with shorter order cycles, making planning more difficult. Business in the largest segment, Hygiene/Wipes, as well as the construction and automotive industries, remained subdued throughout the year.

Investing in the future

“Of course, I would have preferred to hand over leadership in a different global economic environment. However, Philipp Ebbinghaus has consistently demonstrated the ability to innovate, develop strategic initiatives, and execute them in collaboration with our employees – qualities that will be critical in the years ahead,” noted Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler. “We maintain a long-term perspective, remain cost-conscious, and continue to invest in our future. This philosophy will remain a guiding principle under Philipp Ebbinghaus and Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck.”

A key example of ongoing investment is the 25 million euros allocated in 2024 for a state-of-the-art production line for technical nonwovens, which is set to commence operations in the coming weeks. Additionally, a 5-million-euro investment is currently underway to enhance internal logistics, including the construction of a 150-meter-long bridge connecting two factory buildings. This new infrastructure will facilitate the automated transport of finished goods to the central truck loading area.

Sustainability also remains a focal point. The photovoltaic system installed in 2024 marked the beginning of a broader initiative to enhance the company’s in-house energy supply. Future plans include additional solar installations across the Sandler site. The company is also considering investing in local wind turbines; however, this project will only proceed if it proves economically viable following the regulatory approval process.