D. and J. Gilgen (center)
Founded in 1961 as a one-man operation by Jakob Gilgen Senior, the Swiss intralogistics provider now generates CHF 75 million in revenue and employs 190 people in Switzerland and Germany, more than 60 years later. Daniel Gilgen will become CEO on January 1st.
Daniel Gilgen is taking over the management from his father, Jakob Gilgen, and will lead the family business into its third generation. Jakob Gilgen will remain with Gilgen Logistics as Chairman of the Board. Michael Hediger and Franz Kohler are also joining the management team. Stefan Hayoz will subsequently become the new Sales Director for the systems business. This completes the restructuring for the carefully planned succession within the Gilgen family. The Swiss intralogistics specialist is said to be ideally positioned for the future.
The succession plan, now completed, was initiated three years ago. Since then, ongoing organizational adjustments have been made in preparation for the handover. Daniel Gilgen joined the company in 2017 as overall project manager. In 2020, he took over as head of the "Systems" business unit and has since served as a member of the executive board and deputy CEO. Jakob Gilgen remains the majority shareholder and chairman of the board. "I am extremely pleased to be able to hand over the management of our family business to my son. I am convinced that the company will continue to develop positively under his leadership," says Jakob Gilgen.
Photos: Gilgen Logistics
Franz Kohler has headed the "Loading Technology" department for several years. Following Jakob Gilgen's retirement from day-to-day operations, he will now represent this business unit directly on the management board. The existing members, Ruedi Weber, Head of Customer Service, and Thomas Herren, CFO, complete the management board.
Following Michael Hediger's departure, Stefan Hayoz will become the new Sales Director for the largest division, the systems business. Hayoz has been with the company for almost six years, initially as a System Engineer and for some time as a Sales Manager. With this experience and his expertise, he can seamlessly transition into the new position.
“I am pleased that we were able to fill all positions in this reshuffle with internal employees,” said Daniel Gilgen. He added that his father had successfully guided the company with great dedication and extensive experience, laying the ideal foundation for its further development.
With the new management, the long-term planned restructuring is also complete. The successful development of internal expertise and targeted investment activities over the past few years, with a particular focus on innovation and digitalization, will be consistently continued.
