Planned CFO Transition and Changes in the Asian Leadership Team at Industrial Gases Company Messer

Shanghai, September 1, 2026 – As announced by Messer, a specialist in industrial, medical, electronic, and specialty gases, at the beginning of the year, Helmut Kaschenz – who joined the company in 2021 as Chief Strategy Officer and had served as Messer’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since January 2022 – stepped down from his position at his own request. Effective September 1, 2026, Sven Wildner assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer at the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in finance organizations and extensive international experience in finance, governance, and executive leadership.

Sven Wildner to become new CFO at the Messer Group
Sven Wildner began his professional career at the Siemens Group, where he held various senior finance positions from 1999 to 2011. There, he gained experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and internal audit before taking on several international leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe. From 2012 to 2026, he served as Group CFO and a member of the Executive Board of Omya AG, a leading global family-owned company active in the industrial minerals and chemical distribution sectors.  

“I am very pleased to welcome Sven Wildner as Messer’s new CFO. With his impressive international experience and expertise, as well as his deep understanding of the requirements of globally active family-owned companies, he brings the ideal qualifications for this important role. Sven Wildner will support us in continuing to grow profitably and in further developing our finance organization in a targeted manner to meet the challenges of an increasingly dynamic business environment,” says Peter Mohnen, who has served as CEO of Messer since July.

Change in Asian Leadership
After more than 30 years with Messer – including 13 years as CEO of Messer in China and three years as a member of Messer’s Executive Board in his role as COO Asia – Werner Hickel will retire upon the expiration of his contract on November 15, 2026. Under his leadership, Messer’s business in China became a cornerstone of the company’s global success. At the same time, he drove strategic expansion into Southeast Asia, successfully expanded Messer’s presence, and tapped into new growth opportunities throughout the region.

“The enduring success of Werner Hickel’s work is reflected not only in the strong business performance but also in the resilient organizational and leadership culture he helped shape. Werner’s contributions have had a lasting impact on our company, and his legacy will continue to shape our future in Asia,” emphasizes Stefan Messer, shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Marc Wachter, who has served as CEO of Messer China since July 2024, assumed responsibility for the Asian business effective August 1, 2026. He will continue to serve as CEO of Messer China and, in his new role as COO Asia, will report directly to CEO Peter Mohnen. A particular focus of his work will be on strengthening Messer’s long-term position in the region and continuing to capitalize on its exceptional growth potential. Marc Wachter began his career at Messer more than 20 years ago and has many years of leadership experience, both in various roles as managing director of Messer subsidiaries and as a regional manager.

About Messer

Founded in 1898, Messer is the world’s largest privately held specialist for industrial, medical, electronic, and specialty gases, serving customers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Since entering the Chinese market in 1995, Messer has built a strong local presence with more than 40 entities nationwide. Backed by an extensive production and supply network, over 3000 highly dedicated employees and deep industry expertise. Messer delivers reliable, customized gas solutions that help drive innovation and enhance operational efficiency. Today, Messer is a trust partner to many of China’s leading companies across a wide range of industries.