tesa's Strategic Transition Under Dr. Kourosh Bahrami: Navigating Leadership Continuity and Operational Risks

The leadership transition at tesa SE, marked by Dr. Kourosh Bahrami's appointment as Chairman of the Executive Board on October 1, 2025, represents a pivotal moment for the adhesive technology leader. Succeeding Dr. Norman Goldberg, Dr. Bahrami brings over three decades of international experience in B2B and B2C sectors, including his tenure leading Henkel's LOCTITE industrial adhesives business. His expertise in sales, marketing, and supply chain operations, coupled with a focus on automotive and Industry 4.0 markets, positions him to drive tesa's next phase of growth. However, the transition also introduces operational and strategic risks that demand careful scrutiny from investors.

Leadership Continuity: A Foundation for Stability

tesa's leadership continuity strategies emphasize proactive succession planning, transparent communication, and institutional knowledge preservation. The company has historically prioritized identifying and developing high-potential leaders through mentorship and project-based exposure, ensuring a pipeline of executives aligned with its long-term vision Succession Planning: 20 Tips For A Smooth Transition Of Leadership^[1]. During Dr. Bahrami's transition, tesa has implemented overlap periods and cross-training to maintain operational momentum, mitigating the risk of cultural misalignment or internal resistance Leadership Turnover In Nonprofits: Strategies For Succession Planning And Retention^[2].

The Supervisory Board, led by Arunjai Mittal, has underscored confidence in Dr. Bahrami's ability to replicate his past successes at Henkel, where he drove disproportionate growth and team-building Management change at tesa: Dr. Kourosh Bahrami succeeds Dr.^[3]. This alignment with the board's expectations reduces the likelihood of strategic drift, a common risk in leadership transitions. Furthermore, tesa's emphasis on celebrating outgoing leaders' legacies while empowering new visions fosters organizational trust, a critical factor in maintaining employee morale and stakeholder confidence The Leadership Legacy: Passing The Torch Effectively^[4].

Operational Risks: AI Integration and Sustainability Scaling

While Dr. Bahrami's focus on innovation and sustainability aligns with tesa's core strengths, two key initiatives—AI integration and climate-neutral production—pose execution risks.

AI and Environmental Trade-offs: tesa's first Global AI Day highlighted its commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence for operational efficiency and customer value tesa's first Global AI Day: Pioneering AI integration for enhanced ...^[5]. However, the environmental costs of AI, particularly generative models, cannot be ignored. As MIT News notes, training large AI systems requires significant energy and water, potentially undermining tesa's sustainability goals Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact^[6]. For instance, tesa's 39% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020—a milestone toward its 2030 climate-neutral target—could be offset if AI infrastructure expansion is not paired with renewable energy investments Focus on a climate-neutral future: We Do - tesa.com^[7].

Sustainability Scaling Challenges: tesa's “We Do” sustainability strategy, which includes 80 new eco-friendly products and circularity initiatives, demands rigorous supply chain oversight and stakeholder collaboration Focus on sustainability: tesa publishes sustainability ...^[8]. Risks such as raw material scarcity or regulatory shifts in key markets (e.g., the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) could disrupt progress. Additionally, the company's reliance on digital infrastructure increases exposure to cybersecurity threats, a concern as AI adoption expands Top 10 Operational Risks for 2025: A Comprehensive …^[9].

Investment Outlook: Balancing Opportunity and Caution

Dr. Bahrami's leadership offers a compelling narrative for investors. His track record in scaling B2B businesses and his emphasis on technical innovation align with tesa's market position in high-growth sectors like electric vehicles and smart manufacturing. The company's $500 million investment in solar installations at key sites (Offenburg, Norderstedt, Sparta) further underscores its commitment to decoupling growth from environmental impact Business Development - Annual Reports - tesa^[10].

However, execution risks remain. For example, the integration of AI into tesa's supply chain must be balanced with energy-efficient practices to avoid reputational or financial setbacks. Similarly, the transition to hybrid work models and AI-driven workflows could strain employee engagement, a challenge highlighted in Forbes' 2025 CEO risk analysis 20 Big Challenges CEOs Face In 2025 (And How To Tackle Them)^[11].

Conclusion

tesa's strategic transition under Dr. Bahrami is a testament to the company's ambition to lead in innovation and sustainability. While its leadership continuity strategies and emission reduction milestones are commendable, investors must remain vigilant about the interplay between AI's environmental costs and sustainability targets. A phased, transparent approach to scaling these initiatives—coupled with robust risk management—will determine whether tesa's “new chapter” delivers on its promise. For now, the balance between opportunity and caution suggests a cautiously optimistic outlook, provided the company navigates these crosscurrents with agility.