GEA's Leadership Stability and Strategic Direction: CEO Klebert's Extended Tenure as a Catalyst for Long-Term Shareholder Value

Stefan Klebert's leadership at GEA Group AG has emerged as a defining force in the industrial engineering sector, with his extended tenure and strategic vision catalyzing robust shareholder value creation. Appointed CEO in February 2019, Klebert inherited a company poised for transformation, according to the Supervisory Board decision, and swiftly steered it toward a dual focus on profitability and sustainability. His leadership has not only accelerated the achievement of short-term goals but also laid the groundwork for long-term resilience, as evidenced by GEA's recent financial performance and strategic milestones.

Strategic Initiatives: Mission 26 and Mission 30

Klebert's tenure began with the implementation of GEA's Mission 26 strategy, which aimed to drive profitable growth and operational efficiency. By 2023, the company had surpassed its 2026 targets two years early, achieving an EBITDA margin of 15.4% and a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 33.8%, a development first highlighted in the Supervisory Board announcement. This success was underpinned by disciplined cost management, a focus on high-margin service sales (which contributed 38.9% of total revenue in 2024, according to Refindustry), and strategic acquisitions.

Building on this momentum, Klebert launched Mission 30 in 2023, a forward-looking strategy emphasizing sustainability, digitalization, and innovation. The initiative targets organic revenue growth of over 5% annually and an EBITDA margin expansion to 17–19% by 2030, as outlined in the GEA Annual Report 2024. Notably, GEA's Q2 2025 results already reflect progress toward these goals, with an EBITDA margin of 16.5% and ROCE of 35.3%, as reported in GEA's 2025 forecast. Analysts attribute this to Klebert's emphasis on operational efficiency and his ability to navigate macroeconomic headwinds, according to a ParagonIntel analysis.

Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns

Under Klebert's leadership, GEA has delivered consistent financial outperformance. For 2024, the company reported a 1.5% increase in order intake to €5.55 billion and a 0.9% rise in revenue to €5.42 billion, figures detailed in the GEA Annual Report 2024. Adjusted EBITDA surged 8.1% year-over-year to €837.3 million, with a margin of 15.4%-a 103-basis-point improvement from 2023. Free cash flow also soared by 49.9% to €504.8 million, enabling a 15% dividend increase to €1.15 per share and a €400 million share buyback program, as previously announced by the Supervisory Board.

The market has responded favorably, with GEA's stock price rising by nearly 20% since the start of 2025 (reported by Refindustry). Independent analysts highlight that Klebert's strategic execution-particularly in service sales and margin expansion-has positioned the company to outperform peers. For instance, service sales grew 11.1% organically in Q3 2024, driven by demand for maintenance and support services in GEA's Food & Beverage and Separation & Flow Technologies divisions, according to the earlier Supervisory Board announcement.

Leadership Stability and Governance

Klebert's extended tenure, with his contract now secured until 2028 per the Supervisory Board decision, underscores investor and board confidence in his strategic direction. The Supervisory Board's decision to restructure the Executive Board-dissolving the COO role and streamlining divisional responsibilities-further enhances agility. This stability is critical for executing long-term initiatives like Mission 30, which requires sustained investment in sustainability and digitalization. For example, GEA's partnership with Believer Meats to optimize cultivated meat production aligns with its innovation-driven growth strategy and was highlighted in the same set of corporate announcements.

Risks and Challenges

While GEA's trajectory appears strong, challenges remain. ROCE dipped to 32.3% in Q3 2024, and large new machine orders declined compared to the prior year; these issues were noted in company disclosures. However, Klebert's focus on high-margin service contracts and operational efficiency has mitigated these risks. Additionally, the company's €140–170 million order in late 2025 provides a near-term tailwind, as reported in GEA's 2025 forecast.

Conclusion

Stefan Klebert's leadership has transformed GEA into a model of strategic agility and financial discipline. By achieving Mission 26's goals early and launching Mission 30, he has created a framework for sustained value creation. With a clear roadmap to 2030, a resilient business model, and strong governance, GEA is well-positioned to deliver on its ambitious targets. For investors, Klebert's extended tenure and proven execution capability offer compelling reasons to view GEA as a long-term growth opportunity.