Stäubli Group, a Pfäffikon, Switzerland-headquartered provider of industrial and mechatronic solutions, said it is starting the New Year with a new CEO. Gerald Vogt, previously responsible for the global business of the Robotics Division, will take over as CEO from Rolf Strebel on Jan. 1, 2021.

Vogt, an experienced manager from within the company's own ranks, will take over the management of the diversified and growing family-owned company. The 50-year-old Franco-German engineer and business economist has been responsible for the global robotics business as group division manager since mid-2016, Stäubli said.

According to Stäubli, when Vogt joined the company almost 20 years ago, he initially moved from the development and production site in Faverges, France, to the United States for several years. As division manager he significantly expanded business for Stäubli Robotics North America. Afterward, he returned to Faverges as head of development before taking over responsibility for the German business as head of Stäubli Robotics in Bayreuth.

To ensure a smooth transition, Stäubli said its board of directors nominated Vogt as the designated successor to Strebel at the beginning of 2020. Since then, Vogt has accompanied the current CEO and is responsible for the introduction and implementation of the new business strategy for Stäubli through 2030.

"We are delighted to have found in Gerald Vogt a forward-looking manager with extensive international experience and a clear entrepreneurial spirit who is already very well connected within the group. He has our full confidence to further advance the business of the entire Stäubli Group worldwide," said Yves Serra, chairman of the board of directors.