The Board of Directors of SKAN Group AG has proposed Dr. Christian Schlogel as a new member for election at the company's Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 7, 2026. This nomination comes as Patrick Schar, a member for 16 years, has decided not to stand for re-election for professional reasons. The proposed addition of Dr. Schlogel signals a strategic emphasis on digital transformation and software integration within the pharmaceutical manufacturing technology sector.
Dr. Christian Schlogel brings three decades of leadership experience in global technology, software, and industrial companies, with particular expertise in software, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. His most recent role was as Group Chief Digital Officer and member of the Executive Board of Korber AG from 2018 to 2025, where he led digital transformation initiatives for the approximately 14,000-employee group. Prior to that, he served as Group Chief Technology & Digital Officer at KUKA AG, an international automation and robotics group with around 15,000 employees, from 2014 to 2018. He began his professional career at SAP AG and currently contributes his expertise as a member of administrative and advisory boards at various companies. Dr. Schlogel holds a degree in computer science from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a doctorate in business administration from the University of Passau.
Beat Lüthi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SKAN Group, explained the strategic rationale behind the nomination. "SKAN expands its offering to include software and digital integration services, for which we acquired a majority stake in Metronik last year," Lüthi stated. "In parallel, we are driving forward the digital transformation of the company and our services. Christian Schlogel can significantly support these initiatives, which are core elements of the strategy for future sales and margin growth, with his expertise." This statement underscores how digital capabilities are becoming increasingly central to SKAN's business model and competitive positioning in the pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment market.
The departure of Patrick Schar marks the end of a significant tenure. Beat Lüthi acknowledged Schar's contributions, noting, "Patrick Schar has been on the Board of Directors for 16 years. With his professional background and experience as a financial expert, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the SKAN Group." The company expressed gratitude for his years of service and wished him well in his future professional and personal endeavors.
SKAN Group AG, founded in 1968, is a pioneer in aseptic and aseptic-toxic manufacturing processes for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The company employs close to 1,700 people globally, with more than half working at its Allschwil headquarters in Switzerland's Basel region, known as a Life Sciences Hub. SKAN maintains subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Japan, the United States, and Brazil. As the market and technology leader for high-quality isolator systems used in sterile drug filling, the company also provides process support, services, and consumables. Its innovative solutions and lifecycle support organization make it a key partner for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), and research laboratories worldwide. Additional information about the company is available at https://www.skan.com.
The nomination of Dr. Schlogel reflects broader industry trends where traditional manufacturing equipment providers are increasingly integrating software, data analytics, and digital services into their offerings. For SKAN's customers in the pharmaceutical sector, this digital transformation could translate into more integrated systems, enhanced data monitoring capabilities, and improved operational efficiency in critical drug manufacturing processes. The move also positions SKAN to better compete in an evolving market where digital integration and smart manufacturing technologies are becoming standard expectations. Shareholders will vote on Dr. Schlogel's election at the Annual General Meeting, with the company's annual results for 2025 scheduled for publication on March 24, 2026.
